‘Grieving’ Daughter Who Found Family Massacred Now on Trial, Accused of Slitting Their Throats and Shooting Them

The trial of a South Carolina woman accused of murdering her family began on Monday with opening statements.

Amy Vilardi and her husband, Rosmore “Ross” Vilardi, were arrested in 2023. Each was charged with four counts of murder related to the brutal killings that occurred in 2015.

The couple, who are being tried separately, is accused of killing four family members: Amy’s mother, Cathy Scott, 60; her stepfather, Terry Michael Scott, 59; her grandmother, Violet Taylor, 82; and her step-grandmother, Barbara Scott, 80.

According to the coroner, three of the victims had their throats slit and were shot after death. Amy’s mother was reportedly stabbed in the chest and shot while still alive, as stated by Anderson County Sheriff’s Office Detective Scotty Hill.

Detective Hill recalled that Amy Vilardi was the one who contacted authorities to report that her family members were dead.

After investigators examined the victims’ injuries, Hill described the crime as extremely violent and personal.

“Once we understood the extent of the injuries, including the cut throats and post-mortem gunshots, it appeared to be a very aggressive and deeply personal act,” Hill said. “I have never seen anything like it before or since.”

Anderson County Sheriff Chad McBride also described the scene as one of the most horrific he had witnessed in his career.

Initially, deputies considered the possibility of a murder-suicide. However, a closer review of the injuries led investigators to believe otherwise.

During the investigation, Amy Vilardi appeared on local news programs, asking for anyone with information about the killings to come forward.

Authorities reported no signs of forced entry, and nothing appeared to have been stolen. However, investigators later learned that one of the victims frequently kept large amounts of cash.

They discovered that Amy’s stepfather was involved in exchanging cash for gold, a practice known only within the family.

Investigators also found that Amy Vilardi and her husband were experiencing financial difficulties. A search warrant was eventually obtained for their trailer, located on the same property where the bodies were found.

Hill stated that the couple’s vehicles were close to being repossessed and their business was at risk of closure.

During the search, deputies found more than $65,000 in cash stored in a safe inside the trailer. The money and several firearms were seized.

However, none of the recovered weapons matched the firearm used in the killings. As a result, authorities did not have enough evidence at the time to secure arrest warrants.

Eight years after the murders, Amy and Ross Vilardi were arrested and charged.

Amy Vilardi has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, she faces a possible life sentence. A trial date for her husband has not yet been announced.

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