A 69-year-old man from upstate New York, previously reported missing, is now suspected to have been killed by his own family members. The local authorities in Cairo and Greene County had been investigating the disappearance of Roger Pitt Sr. since November 18. Initial findings indicated that Pitt had gathered his possessions and left the region in his 1987 Mercedes Benz, as per the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.
However, the investigation took a turn when authorities began to suspect that Pitt’s family members were not being entirely truthful. The family’s statements did not match the evidence gathered by the investigators, leading to the issuance of search warrants for the Pitt family’s property in Cairo. It was during this search that Pitt’s remains were found.
Three people have been apprehended in relation to the case: Rodney Pitt, 46, Drew White, 23, and Tania Pitt, 43. Rodney Pitt and White are facing charges of second-degree murder, second-degree conspiracy, tampering with physical evidence, and concealment of a human corpse. Tania Pitt is charged with tampering with physical evidence and sixth-degree conspiracy, according to the sheriff’s announcement.
Local CBS affiliate WRGB identified Rodney Pitt as the son of the victim, Tania Pitt as Rodney’s wife, and White as the boyfriend of a granddaughter.
Greene County Sheriff Peter Kusminsky disclosed that investigators believe financial disputes could be the motive behind the murder. “We believe the murder potentially took place on October 31st,” Kusminsky stated. He also noted that homicides are uncommon in Greene County, typically a low-crime area.
Cairo, located in Greene County, is about 40 miles south of Albany. The two male suspects are currently being held in custody, while Tania Pitt has been released and is scheduled to return to court at a later date.