In 2015, four elderly family members tragically lost their lives in a Halloween attack in South Carolina, leading to emotional interviews with their relative, Amy Vilardi, who expressed their undeserving fate. Now, Amy and her husband, Rosmore “Ross” Vilardi, have been charged with their murders.
Amy and Ross Vilardi are currently in custody in Anderson County, facing four counts of murder each. They are scheduled for a preliminary court hearing on February 20.
As of Tuesday, the case had not been added to the state’s online court records system, and the county sheriff’s office had not identified an attorney to speak on their behalf. In previous interviews, the couple has maintained their innocence.
During a recent news conference announcing the charges, Sheriff Chad McBride did not disclose why the charges were brought years after the killings, stating that such details would be discussed in court.
The shocking killings took place in Pendleton, a rural town in western South Carolina, leaving the community deeply affected.
According to Sheriff McBride, Amy Vilardi reported the deaths of her family members on November 2, 2015. The victims included her 60-year-old mother, Cathy Scott, 85-year-old grandmother, Violet Taylor, 58-year-old stepfather Mike Scott, and his 80-year-old mother, Barbara Scott. Amy and Ross Vilardi lived adjacent to the victims on the same property.
Authorities described the crime scene as “gruesome,” with victims having been shot and stabbed. Despite gaining widespread attention at the time, no arrests were made until last week.
Following the murders, Amy Vilardi spoke to media outlets, praising her family members as “wonderful people” who would “do anything for anybody” and expressing her bewilderment at the tragedy.
The defendants and other relatives had legal disputes over belongings and cash taken as evidence from the property, ultimately settling the matter in 2021.
Sheriff McBride commended his investigators and the victims’ other family members for their perseverance and commitment to seeking justice.
“I hope this is a good day for them, at least the first step in getting justice,” McBride said at the news conference.
