Parents of missing Bucks County young man release statement as family of person of interest appears before grand jury

Bucks County, Pennsylvania, prosecutors have yet to name a suspect in what now appears to be a multiple homicide, though only one victim has been identified.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, police found the body of Dean A. Finocchiaro, 19, on Wednesday at a rural farmland property about 30 miles outside of Philadelphia. Finocchiaro and three other young men all went missing last week, and police said early in the investigation that they suspected foul play.

Bucks County District Attorney Matthew said in a midnight press conference that Finocchiaro was found in a “common grave,” 12.5 feet under the ground.

“We are not done yet. This is a homicide, make no mistake about it,” Weintraub said. “We just don’t know how many homicides.”

At a Thursday morning press conference, the district attorney was not able to report the identities of any other remains found, and said that police have not yet named a suspect. Investigators are continuing to search the Solebury Township property.

Along with Finocchiario, three other young men went missing last week: Mark Sturgis, 22, of Pennsburg, Montgomery County; Tom Meo, 21, of Plumstead Township; and Jimi Tar Patrick, 19, of Newtown Township (pictured left to right, with Finocchiaro the second from the right.)

Cosmo DiNardo, who was arrested Wednesday on charges that he stole and tried to sell a car belonging to one of the missing men, remains a person of interest. His family owns the 64-acre farmland.

All of the missing young men knew each other, and all were reportedly acquainted with DiNardo, though investigators have not yet revealed the nature of the relationship.

Weintraub said he could not comment on whether or not police believe Finocchiaro’s killer worked alone.

“What I believe is not material. It’s what I can prove that matters,” the district attorney said on Thursday.

According to multiple reports, DiNardo’s parents were expected to appear before a grand jury Thursday morning, but Weintraub would not confirm this.

The district attorney shared a statement given him by the parents of Jimi Patrick.

In it, Patrick’s parents describe the young man as an accomplished student and athlete who recently completed his freshman year at Loyola University.

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

 

Feature photo: Police handout