A married couple in their 60s was found dead inside their home in Rockville on Sunday, and Montgomery County Police are investigating their deaths as homicides.
Richard Louis Vilardo, 65, and Julianne "Jody" Vilardo, 67, were found dead at their home in the 13200 block of Ridge Drive after they didn't show up for Mother's Day plans with other family members.
A relative found their bodies shortly before 12:30 p.m. and called police.
The body of Julianne Vilardo was found inside the couple's home; the body of Richard Vilardo was found just outside the back of the home. There was trauma to the upper bodies of both victims, police said.
Family members say don't know what happened.
"Dick and Jody Vilardo were a warm and loving couple," a family statement said. "We know of no one who would wish them harm."
The Vilardos were known for their work at the Children's Inn at NIH, a place for sick children participating in clinical trials.
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Police are investigating their deaths as a double murder, but haven't said whether they believe they were targeted or it was a random act.
One of Richard Vilardo's business partners, Steven Fairbanks, said he was heartbroken by the news.
"Dick was one of the greatest gentlemen I ever met," he wrote in an email. "He and Jodi were the perfect couple. They will be sorely missed."
Another business partner, Ron Franklin, said he and Vilardo founded Pinnacle Hotel Management together and had been friends for more than 35 years.
"Dick was a wonderful person, and always had his priorities right....family, friends and Pinnacle in that order," Franklin wrote in an email. "Steve and I will miss both he and Jody in many ways."
Franklin said the couple had "two great children."
