The community of Washington DC was shocked by the brutal murder of a Greek-American family and their housekeeper who were found dead inside their home last week. The victims were 46-year-old businessman Savvas Savopoulos, his 47-year-old wife Amy, their 10-year-old son Philip and their 57-year-old housekeeper Veralicia Figueroa.
The four victims were found when firefighters arrived at the scene. Black smoke was coming from the house and the four people were found burned inside. One of them was bleeding from the head, while firefighters stated that there was a strong smell of gasoline inside the house, a fact that points to arson. It is possible that the criminals attempted to burn down the house in order to destroy any evidence that might lead to their arrest.
It is still unknown whether this was a one man job, however police believe that there was more than one person involved. The perpetrators stabbed their victims with a knife or another sharp object and set the couple’s home on fire. According to Washington police, the victims were held hostage before being killed, while it is also possible that the killers had knowledge of the family and how they lived their day-to-day lives. There was no sign of forced entry.
Police believe that the perpetrators managed to enter the family home last Wednesday, May 13, and held the four victims hostage until Thursday, when they finally got what they wanted from Savopoulos. Before being stabbed, the victims had been tortured, added the police.
Furthermore, one day before the fire that led to the crime’s discovery, the 46-year-old Greek-American sent a text message to the family’s second housekeeper, letting her know that Figueroa was going to spend the night at the house.
Savopoulos was a well-known businessman among the Washington high-society circle. He was known for his charitable activities and had also been invited to the White House in the past.
Police used sniffing dogs to identify the suspect who burned the 2008 blue Porsche 911, which was stolen from the family home on the day of the fire. The luxury car was set on fire in the parking lot of a nearby church and that was the last time that police had eyes on the quadruple murder suspect.
Over the weekend, investigators released security video footage showing a man wearing dark clothes, standing near the sport where the car was burnt. Police are offering 25,000 dollars to anyone who might provide them with essential information that will lead to the criminals’ arrest.
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