Man Suspected of Dismembering Mother Back In Brevard

By  //  September 16, 2013

NOW IN BREVARD COUNTY JAIL AWAITING TRIAL

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ABOVE MAP: Murder victim Maureen Riccio’s last known address was 319 Patrick Circle in Melbourne, which she shared with her son, an adult female and three children. Francis Riccio has been charged with his mother’s murder and will make a first appearance in court on Oct. 2 .

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Francis Riccio, a suspect in his own mother’s grizzly murder and dismemberment, has been returned to Brevard County from New York where he was arrested last May.

Francis Riccio, a suspect in his own mother's grizzly murder and dismemberment, has been returned to Brevard County from New York where he was arrested last May. (BCSO image)
Francis Riccio, a suspect in his own mother’s grizzly murder and dismemberment, has been returned to Brevard County from New York where he was arrested last May. (BCSO image)

On May 30, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office culminated a two week investigation with the arrest of the now 46-year-old Riccio for the homicide of his mother, 70-year-old Maureen Riccio, whose remains were discovered in Micco on May 14, 2013.

After being located in New York, Francis Riccio,  was arrested on charges of First Degree Premeditated Murder and Abuse of a Dead Human Body. The Brevard County State Attorney’s Office worked with authorities in New York to arrange for extradition back to Brevard County.

SKELETAL REMAINS DISCOVERED

The investigation was initiated on May 14, 2013, when skeletal remains were discovered by a maintenance employee during a service call to the cellular tower located on Willowbrook Road in Micco.

The witness stopped along the roadway, whereupon he observed what he at first believed was an animal carcass decomposing in the drainage ditch.  He immediately notified the Sheriff’s Office who responded and determined that the remains were human.  Investigators processed an extensive crime scene, excavating the skeletal remains along with other items of suspected evidence.

BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA

As the agents awaited the results of the autopsy, efforts were made to identify the victim who had been dismembered, placed in refuse bags and dumped in a swampy drainage area.

Maureen Riccio's skeletal remains were discovered by a maintenance employee during a service call to the cellular tower located on Willowbrook Road in Micco on May 14, 2013, according to Major Tod Goodyear of the Brevard County Sheriff's Office. (BCSO image)
Maureen Riccio’s skeletal remains were discovered by a maintenance employee during a service call to the cellular tower located on Willowbrook Road in Micco on May 14, 2013, according to Major Tod Goodyear of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. (BCSO image)

The autopsy conducted by the Medical Examiner concluded that the victim died as a result of blunt force trauma and classified the death as a homicide.

Identification of the victim was eventually accomplished, and the investigation determined that the victim, who is a native of New York, moved to Brevard County Florida in late 2012.

Her last known address was located at 319 Patrick Circle, Melbourne, which she shared with her son, an adult female and three children.

Based on the evidence, the agents believe the victim was killed in late March of this year at the residence and then transported to the secluded area. The family then abruptly moved from the residence in early April, advising neighbors and the landlord that they needed to return to New York due to a death in the family.

BCSO COORDINATES WITH NYPD DETECTIVES

According to Major Tod Goodyear of the Brevard County sheriff’s Office, Homicide Agents were able to determine that the suspect had moved to New York and traveled there to further investigate the incident.

SEE RELATED STORY: Ilene Renee Lazar Arrested In NY, Held On No Bond

According to Major Tod Goodyear, above, Homicide Agents were able to determine that the suspect had moved to New York and traveled there this week to further investigate the incident. (SpaceCoastDaily.com image)
According to Major Tod Goodyear, above, Homicide Agents were able to determine that the suspect had moved to New York and traveled there this week to further investigate the incident. (SpaceCoastDaily.com image)

The Agents coordinated efforts with Homicide Detectives from NYPD Brooklyn.  The investigation determined that Francis Riccio killed his mother during a violent argument, and according to authorities,  Francis bludgeoned his mother to death in a residence bedroom.  After the death, Riccio purchased tools and cleaning items at a local store and then dismembered and transported the remains away from the death scene.

‘UNIQUE CHALLENGES, INCREDIBLE EFFORTS’

“The Crime Scene Investigators and Agents did an exceptional job in this case,” said Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

“The agents methodically identified the facts and followed the evidence across our county and ultimately the country. I’m very proud of our team and their incredible efforts to bring closure and justice to this horrific crime.”

Sheriff Wayne Ivey
Sheriff Wayne Ivey

“Homicide investigations are very time and resource consuming. This particular case presented very unique challenges that were literally buried to avoid detection and victim identification. The agents methodically identified the facts and followed the evidence across our county and ultimately the country. I’m very proud of our team and their incredible efforts to bring closure and justice to this horrific crime.”