Missing man’s body found in abandoned cemetery crypt in case tied to biker gang
A lead in the search for missing man Keith Palumbo led investigators to a cemetery crypt, and inside, a grisly discovery was made.
The haunting case of a 36-year-old Delaware County, Pennsylvania, musician and tattoo artist murdered by his longtime friend is now the focus of Oxygen’s true crime series “Philly Homicide,” in which retired detective Chris McMullin revisits some of the city’s most explosive crimes.
“This is a very sad situation,” McMullin told Fox News Digital. “A very thorough investigation, which included interviews with other parties who had information or some sort of interest, led them to Mount Moriah Cemetery. And honestly, that wasn’t that surprising to me because I know a lot of stolen cars were dumped there.”
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Describing it as “a cemetery that no one really cares about,” McMullin said, “I even say in this episode that if you want to hide a body, this is probably a good place to do it.”
In April 2020, investigators uncovered not only Palumbo’s body, but also the remains of 33-year-old David Rossillo Jr., a possible member of the Warlocks. Motorcycle Club. Both victims were found in the family tomb of Captain AH Cain, who died in 1884. Rossillo’s murder was a separate incident, but his remains were found in the same grave.
Mount Moriah Cemetery has been in disrepair and largely abandoned for years, McMullin said. According to reports, it had become a known dumping ground for stolen cars and other illegal activities.
“Mount Moriah Cemetery was out of operation many years ago,” McMullin said, referring to its long neglect.
“I was there. There was a time when I was working part time in the funeral business and I was there. When you go there it’s like you’ve stepped out of a post-apocalyptic movie. Ivy grows all over the toppled tombstones and mausoleums. It’s very sad because it was a cemetery where people were buried. Typically you would expect constant maintenance there.”
“We’re also talking about a huge cemetery,” McMullin continued. “[The investigators] “They were lucky because as they walked around they noticed that one of the crypts looked like it had been disturbed recently.”
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It was stated that Palumbo came from a close family and was known as a heavy metal guitarist in his community. When he went missing in February 2020, his family immediately knew something was wrong.
At the time of his disappearance, Palumbo was driving his mother’s car with two men when he received a call from fellow Warlocks member Michael DeLuca, who goes by the nickname “Chaos.” Philadelphia Researcher reported. According to the press, DeLuca told Palumbo to go to his home in Southwest Philadelphia.
“When I found out he was missing, it gave me a bad feeling,” McMullin said. “The cases we examine in this series are all tragic, but this was a case of complete betrayal.”
The press reported that after the three men arrived at DeLuca’s apartment, he pulled out a gun and pointed it at Palumbo. As Palumbo protested, a witness told investigators DeLuca shot him in the face. The publication noted that the account was quoted by one of the men who was said to have been in the apartment at the time.
Although the circumstances of the argument are unclear, authorities and witnesses suggest DeLuca may have suspected Palumbo of collaborating with Palumbo, McMullin said. law enforcementhowever, no evidence was presented to support this claim.
“I don’t know if we got a specific response from DeLuca,” McMullin admitted. “It was thought that he might have done this to set an example, not to cross himself. This victim was his lifelong best friend. Was he trying to set an example for the other members? They definitely looked like they were afraid of him.”
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“I think there’s probably a problem with impulse control here,” McMullin said. “I think this was calculated and planned. Most likely [Palumbo] to the clubhouse with the intention of doing this to him.”
Although the Warlocks do not share the same name as groups such as the Hells Angels, authorities have long described the Pennsylvania-based club as a serious outlaw motorcycle gang.
Federal and local investigators have linked members to a number of violent crimes, including murder, assault and violence. drug traffickingIt’s a reminder that a lower profile doesn’t mean less of a threat.
“Other organizations are much larger and appear in places that attract more public and media attention than a smaller organization like the Warlocks that is not entirely national in scope,” retired ATF Special Agent in Charge Bernard Zapor explained to Fox News Digital.
“Some gangs are deliberately more low-key,” he said. “They’re not interested in all the publicity and notoriety.”[But] What they all have in common is that betrayal of the organization is a death penalty. First comes your commitment to the club, then comes your family. Club before family, club before self. “The suspicion of being an informer is a dangerous and unfortunate situation.”
“These two people knew each other and had a long-term relationship,” Zapor continued. “But if you are suspected of being a police informant, the only consequence is death. If they can get to you, that’s the death penalty.”
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A relative of Palumbo said he was not a member of the Warlocks.
By department, Cooperating witnesses ultimately helped police piece together what happened to Palumbo and Rossillo Jr. Information obtained at the scene, combined with physical evidence and cellphone data, allowed investigators to build a case against DeLuca and others.
A witness told police DeLuca told him he killed Palumbo and needed help disposing of the body, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
“They were all scared [DeLuca],” McMullin said. “But I also think they didn’t want to risk a lawsuit to lie and possibly protect her when things got heated. I think there is no honor among thieves. Loyalty is something that is very clearly expected. “But I also think people are looking out for their own interests, especially those who commit a lot of crimes, heinous crimes at that.”
In September 2020, DeLuca and Michael DiMauro, another member of the Warlocks, were arrested.
In 2023, DiMauro was convicted of first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse in connection with Rossillo Jr.’s death. Prosecutors said he shot the 33-year-old, tied a rope around his neck and dragged his body to an open cemetery before dumping his remains. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
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That same year, DeLuca pleaded guilty to third-degree murder in Palumbo’s death. FOX 29 Philadelphia reported. According to information shared by the media, three other people also pleaded guilty to helping dispose of the victims’ bodies. DeLuca was later sentenced to 15 to 35 years in prison.
“This case stuck with me,” McMullin said. “There is a relationship between the killer and the victim. Unfortunately, more people are killed by people they know than by people they don’t know. And outlaw biker gangs are notoriously violent. In my opinion, Michael DeLuca committed a bad act.”
Original article source: Missing man’s body found in abandoned cemetery crypt with possible links to biker gang
