Buried Truths: The Warlocks, a Cemetery, and a Case Unsolved

Keith Palumbo and David Rossillo Jr. meet a grim fate in a double homicide; their bodies are discovered concealed inside a crypt within the eerie, abandoned Mount Moriah Cemetery.

Unraveling the complexities of this chilling case, Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack explore the labyrinthine investigation that led authorities to the hidden burial site, thanks to a tip about Keith's disappearance and the involvement of a woman with close ties to both the Warlocks Motorcycle Club in Philadelphia and the cemetery.

The episode delves into the forensic intricacies—from gunshot residue on decomposing bodies to the challenges of DNA matching—and uncovers the lengths criminals will go to hide their heinous acts. It also touches on the human stories behind the headlines, offering a gripping journey through the dark corners of crime and justice. 

 

Time codes:

00:00:20 — Joseph Scott Morgan discusses his comfort around the dead and introduces the topic of a double homicide case involving an old, abandoned burial ground.

00:02:14 — Joe Scott talks about Mount Moriah, a cemetery named after a biblical location. 

00:03:00 — Dave Mack introduces the victims, Keith Palumbo, a musician and tattoo artist, and David Rossillo Jr.,  who had no known connections to the Warlocks Motorcycle Club in Philadelphia. 

00:04:00 — Discussion of how Keith's disappearance was reported and the significant tip that led police to start their search at the cemetery. 

00:07:36 — Highlighting the logistical difficulties of the investigation, Joe Scott explains the challenges of accessing the burial site due to its depth and lack of a ladder or staircase. 

00:09:00 — Dave mentions that the police were expecting to find Keith Palumbo but discovered David Rossillo Jr.'s body as well. Morgan discusses the state of Rossillo’s remains.

00:11:00 — The hosts speculate about the crypt being used as a common dumping ground by organized crime groups, raising questions about the extent of criminal activity.

00:14:48 — Discussion about the significance of the carpet found at the crime scene, and speculation on its potential connection to the body.

00:15:00 — Morgan begins to explain what forensic evidence can be obtained from a decomposing body, particularly when a gunshot wound to the head is involved.

00:17:00 — An explanation of how bruises can still be detected on a decomposing body.

00:21:31 — The process of transferring remains from a crypt to a medical examiner's wagon, with added emphasis on the importance of maintaining the integrity of the remains.

00:25:22 — The challenges the police faced in identifying the bodies, particularly David Rossillo Jr., who had not been reported missing, and the role of informants in criminal investigations, particularly within tightly-knit organizations like motorcycle clubs.

00:32:53 — Joe Scott Morgan delves into the difficulties of determining a cause of death with skeletal remains, especially if the skull is fractured or parts are missing. He elaborates on how animals can complicate an investigation.

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