The community remains shattered and in deep sorrow due to the horrific murder of David Rossillo Jr., which occurred in December 2017 in southwest Philadelphia. A prospective member of the notorious motorcycle gang, the Warlocks, Rossillo’s death was executed with chilling premeditation.
Rossillo’s remains were discovered in a crypt, alongside the body of another victim, Keith Palumbo. What initially started as a missing persons investigation soon unveiled a complex murder plot involving several gang members. The third episode of How (Not) to Get Rid of a Body, titled Graveyard Shift, delves into this intriguing case and is set to air on September 18, 2024.
This article highlights five shocking details about the murder of David Rossillo Jr., tracing the path from the meticulous planning of the crime to the eventual discovery of his remains. These insights reveal the grim realities of gang violence and the brutal circumstances surrounding his death.
5 Shocking Facts About the David Rossillo Jr. Murder Case
1) The Cemetery Meeting That Led to His Death
David Rossillo Jr. was tragically lured to his demise under the pretense of a meeting at Mount Moriah Cemetery, a historic burial site in southwest Philadelphia. The killer, Michael DiMauro, a fellow member of the infamous Warlocks gang, had arranged to meet Rossillo at the cemetery.
What ensued was a ruthless execution. DiMauro shot Rossillo at the cemetery, transforming this serene resting place into the scene of a heinous gang murder. The choice of such an isolated location underscored the calculated brutality of the crime.
2) Dragging the Body with a Rope Tied to a Car
One of the most unsettling aspects of Rossillo’s murder was the aftermath. DiMauro gruesomely tied a rope around Rossillo’s neck and dragged his corpse using a car in an attempt to dispose of the evidence.
This horrific act of dragging the body in such a manner reflects a shocking disregard for human life and dignity, illustrating the lengths to which DiMauro and his accomplices went to conceal the crime committed within the secluded cemetery.
3) Discovery of His Body in the Crypt
David Rossillo Jr.’s body remained concealed in Mount Moriah Cemetery for several years, leaving his family unaware of his tragic fate. In April 2020, Rossillo’s body was discovered in a crypt alongside another victim’s remains.
The concealment of the bodies within a crypt, located deep inside the rural Maserati Dairy Company headquarters, illustrates the deliberate and sinister efforts made by DiMauro and his accomplices to hide the crime. It took months of DNA testing to confirm Rossillo’s identity, providing a measure of closure to the heart-wrenching case.
4) The Role of Cooperating Witnesses
Cooperating witnesses were crucial in building a strong case against Michael DiMauro. Two members of the Warlocks motorcycle club came forward and provided detectives with vital information linking DiMauro to Rossillo’s murder.
Their testimonies helped outline the events leading up to the crime, from luring Rossillo to the cemetery to the disposal of his body, revealing what transpired on that fateful night. Had the perpetrators succeeded in their cover-up, this crime might have remained unsolved.
5) The Motive: Breaking ‘Club Rules’
While the exact motive behind the murder of David Rossillo Jr. remains unclear, it is suggested that both Rossillo and Palumbo violated the “club rules”of the Warlocks, leading to their brutal murders. This likely incurred a sense of betrayal within the gang that culminated in violent repercussions.
The Warlocks, like any criminal organization, operate under a stringent code of conduct. A faction may feel betrayed when certain actions contravene this code, resulting in deadly consequences. In this case, the reasons behind the rules that were broken remain unknown to the general public.
The murder of David Rossillo Jr. serves as a grim reminder of the violent reality of gang activities. The cemetery where he lost his life and the location of his remains, discovered years later, highlight the shocking callousness of those involved in this crime.
Michael DiMauro’s conviction for this murder, along with the testimonies of cooperating witnesses, brought some level of justice to David Rossillo Jr.’s family. However, it is clear that the brutal crime that unfolded that night will forever leave unanswered questions, even among those who participated in the cover-up alongside the Warlocks and their motorcycle gang.
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