In a case that has left the Valrico community in shock, two men have been arrested in connection with the murder of a missing elderly man.
His dismembered remains were discovered buried in the backyard of one of the suspects, as reported by ABC Action News.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has described the crime as “horrific,” involving not only violence but also a complex financial fraud scheme.
Background of The Case
Joseph Romano, 75, was reported missing on January 16, 2025.
During the investigation, detectives noticed suspicious activity involving 45-year-old Joseph Schiliro.
He was seen attempting to retrieve Romano’s mail from the apartment complex where the victim lived.
This raised red flags, and as detectives dug deeper, they uncovered a disturbing financial fraud.
Large sums of money had been transferred from Romano’s accounts to fraudulent accounts linked to Schiliro.
The investigation also revealed that the second suspect, 31-year-old Silviano Christman had flown to Tampa from New York on January 3, 2025 and was with Schiliro during the time of the alleged crimes.
On February 13, a search warrant was executed at Schiliro’s home, where detectives made a gruesome discovery: dismembered human remains buried in the backyard.
The remains were later identified as Joseph Romano through DNA Testing.
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| Joseph Romano |
The Arrests and Charges
Schiliro was arrested in Pinellas County by the U.S. Marshals Task Force on February 21, while Christman was arrested by the New York Police Department Regional Fugitive Task Force on February 20, 2025.
Both men face a slew of serious charges, including:
Joseph Schiliro:
- Premeditated first-degree murder
- Conspiracy to commit premeditated first-degree murder
- Burglary with battery
- Fraudulent use of personally identifiable information of a deceased person
- Fraudulent use of personally identifiable information
- Money laundering
- Exploitation of a disabled adult
Silviano Christman:
- Premeditated first-degree murder
- Conspiracy to commit premeditated first-degree murder
- Burglary with battery
- Abuse of a dead body
- Fraudulent use of personally identifiable information of a deceased person
What Authorities Are Saying
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed his outrage over the crime, calling the actions of the two men “despicable and deeply disturbing.”
He emphasized the commitment of his team to seeking justice for Romano and his loved ones.
“Through deceit and violence, they exploited and took the life of another individual,” Chronister said.
“Thanks to the determined efforts of our detectives and law enforcement partners, they are both now behind bars.”
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Joseph Schiliro. |
The discovery of Romano’s remains has left the Valrico neighborhood on edge.
Neighbors reported seeing forensic teams in the area nearly two weeks before the arrests, creating an atmosphere of unease.
“It’s just been very unsettling the past couple of weeks, not knowing and the uncertainty—and to know that this could happen in your neighborhood,” one neighbor shared.
“But no one really knew him; he kept to himself. Now that there has been an arrest, it has given a little bit of closure.”
While the arrests have brought some answers, many questions remain.
Investigators have not yet confirmed the exact relationship between Romano and the two suspects, though they have stated that all three knew each other.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to piece together the full timeline of events.
As the community processes this shocking crime, the focus remains on ensuring justice is served for Joseph Romano and his family.
This is a developing story.
If you have any information related to this case, please contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
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