Pizza Crust Possible Key in Solving DC Murders

Savvas and his wife, Amy
 Photo Source: WashingtonPost
Savvas Savopoulos, his wife, Amy, his son, Phillip, and the housekeeper, Veralicia Figueroa, were tortured and murdered in their home on May 13 and 14. Investigations have shown that the son burned to death, while the other three were stabbed, or suffered blunt force trauma, and covered with gasoline, then the house was set on fire. The Savopoulos' Porsche was found burning in a church parking lot not too long afterward the house was found.

There were several questionable happenings around the time of the murder. Savvas' assistant was giving direction to drop of $40,000 on the doorstep of the house, which is looking like the main reason for these deaths, but the police are not exactly sure yet. The second housekeeper got a voice mail telling her that she had the day off and got a text the following day to remind her not to go to the house.

The scene was discovered when Veralicia's husband came to check on her after he received a suspicious phone call from Savvas saying that Veralicia was going to spend the night at the house to help out with Amy because she was sick.

Figueroa and her kids
Photo Source: WashingtonPost
DNA evidence has given police enough information to find a suspect in the murder of the Savopoulos family. They were able to pull the suspect's DNA from a pizza crust on the property. Daron Wint was identified on Wednesday. He was a former employee of Savopoulos' company, American Iron Works, but the police haven't don't know if he ever had direct contact with Savvas.

Four other people have been detained in relation to this case, but it is unsure how/if they contributed to the murders. Authorities believe that Wint had help holding the family captive; however, Wint is the only suspect charged with first degree murder so far.

The Savopoulos family had two teenage daughters away at boarding school during the attack. Figueroa had a husband here and two children in El Salvador.

We send our love and support to the Savopoulos and Figuera families and friends.

Comments from Allen:


There is a lot more to these murders than a $40,000 extortion or ransom payment.  I would say the chief reason for the murders is personal hatred of Savvas Savopoulos by a very sick-minded former employee.  If this case were about money, the victims would not have been tortured.
So often in cases like this the perpetrator make some error in judgment that leads the police back to him.  In this case it was the arrogance of the defendant in celebrating this crime with a pizza party.
I am sure the jury in this case is going to be very interested to know how Wint's pizza just happened to be at the scene of a brutal murder.  We'll all be listening.

Allen Browning is an attorney in Idaho Falls, Idaho who handles personal injury and criminal defense. He has over 30 years of experience and handled thousands of cases. Allen work with cases from all over Idaho. Call (208) 542-2700 to set up a free consultation if you are facing legal trouble or you have been involved in an accident.
Also, check out browninglaw.net for more information about Allen and Browning Law.


Allen Browning can help with all personal injury claims including motor vehicle accidents, serious and disabling accidents, and wrongful death claims. Allen Browning can also help with DUI, Felony, Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, Drug Crimes, Theft, Juvenile Crimes, Violent Crimes, and Probation/Parole Violations. He is one of the most experienced and successful criminal defense attorneys in Idaho.

Sources for more information: 

 http://abcnews.go.com/US/mansion-fire-dna-pizza-crust-led-authorities-dc/story?id=31199895

http://www.buzzfeed.com/stephaniemcneal/suspect-in-dc-mansion-murders-is-likely-in-brooklyn-area-pol#.blN52Xj7o

http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/21/us/dc-house-fire-money-motive/index.html

http://www.courtchatter.com/#!DC-Mansion-Murders-Document-Arrest-warrant-and-affidavit/c1oiw/5560c2f60cf23d0164b7821b

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/21/dc-murder-suspect-pizza_n_7355284.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/lanier-says-evidence-collection-at-home-of-slain-family-could-take-week/2015/05/19/98408e1c-fe33-11e4-805c-c3f407e5a9e9_story.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/police-investigating-package-filled-with-cash-dropped-off-at-door-of-slain-family/2015/05/20/a100af9e-ff07-11e4-8b6c-0dcce21e223d_story.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crime/slain-housekeeper-planned-to-join-kids-in-el-salvador-after-years-of-support/2015/05/18/bc205826-fd84-11e4-8b6c-0dcce21e223d_story.html

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