DNA On Pizza Crust Leads To Arrest Of Daron Dylon Wint For D.C. Mansion Murders And Arson

In what seems like an episode of Criminal Minds or CSI, DNA was found on a Domino’s pizza crust that has helped police identify and arrest a suspect for the murders of a prominent Washington, D.C. family. Law enforcement reported on Thursday night that 34-year-old Daron Dylon Wint has been arrested and is now in custody for last week’s gruesome slayings of four people who were found dead inside a burning mansion, according to CNN.

Even though the house had been burned, D.C. Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier said on Tuesday that investigators had been able to collect a lot of evidence from the scene, including a video and DNA from a pizza crust.

Three law enforcement officials confirmed on Wednesday that Wint was a match for DNA evidence left on the Domino’s pizza crust from a pizza delivered to the house on May 13, according to The Washingon Post. Police said the pizza apparently was paid for with cash left in an envelope on the porch.

“Daron Dylon Wint was taken into custody without incident Thursday night, about 24 hours after his name was made public.”

Bodies found are believed to be Savvas Savopoulos, 46; Amy Savopoulos, 47; their 10-year-old son, Philip; and housekeeper Veralicia Figueroa, 57. There were signs that Philip had been stabbed and tortured before he was set on fire. The Savopouloses’ two daughters were away at boarding school at the time of the murders and arson.

The victims appeared to have been bound with duct tape and held captive overnight in the multimillion-dollar Northwest Washington mansion near the home of Vice President Joe Biden. Phone and text communications from the Savopouloses suggest the horror inside the house may have started a day before the fire.

The Washington neighborhood has been assured that the killings were likely not a random crime. It was discovered that Wint had worked at American Iron Works, where Savvas Savopoulos was CEO and president. It was unclear whether Wint had been fired.

While the motive for the killings has not been revealed, investigators are considering that money may have been a prime factor. According to investigators, one of Savopoulos’ employees came to the home and dropped off $40,000.

Authorities found Wint staying at a Howard Johnson Hotel in Washington. Police Chief Lanier said the possibility of additional suspects has not been ruled out. Wint has a previous criminal history. According to court records, he has faced multiple charges over the years, including theft, assault, and a sexual offense. Wint is being held as a suspect of the gruesome murders and arson.

[Image via Getty Images]