Update – 3 p.m., May 12 – The medical examiner has ruled that the deaths of both Richard and Julianne Vilardo were homicides.
Montgomery County Police Capt. Paul Sparks said the medical examiner made the preliminary ruling Monday. Police said via their Twitter account the deaths were caused by "sharp force injuries to both victims."
"This investigation has been officially termed a homicide investigation for the deaths of both victims," Starks said at the scene Monday afternoon.
Police said they believe someone may have made entry into the home through a window. At the scene, Starks said a latch or the locking mechanism on one of the home's windows was not engaged, although the glass was not broken. He would not say which window.
"The window was found open when they were found deceased at the home yesterday and investigators have learned that's not part of the normal routine of the household," Starks said. "Police believe that was the entry point for an intruder or intruders."
Starks said he's not permitted at this time to talk about any leads on possible suspects. Police have not yet released any possible motives in the killing of Richard Vilardo, 65, and his wife Julianne, 67.
On Monday afternoon a team of detectives could be seen milling around the house, which had a neatly manicured lawn and landscaping. The home sits on about an acre of property and is separated from adjoining neighbors by narrow strips of woods. Starks said the number of investigators working the case is in "the double digits."
Police responded just after noon Sunday to the 13200 block of Ridge Drive where they discovered the Vilardos' bodies. Both had suffered injuries to the upper portion of their bodies, according to police.
Starks said he could not comment on the nature of the injuries at this time.
Police said the Vilardos were scheduled to meet family members during the morning of May 10, but when they didn’t arrive family became concerned. That’s when a relative went to the home and found the husband and wife dead, police said. Richard Vilardo was found outside the rear of the home, while Julianne was located in the home, according to police.
Starks said Monday the Vilardos were last seen alive Saturday night with friends. On Tuesday, May 12 police released additional information saying that investigators confirmed the couple was in Charlestown, West Virginia Saturday night, where they had dinner with friends. Starks said Monday there's no indication at this time that they were followed to their home.
The victims' bodies were sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for autopsies.
When Starks was asked about what he would tell neighbors regarding the homicides, he said, "I'm not terming this as random. It's still very early. Investigators are looking at many possibilities."
The Washington Post reports that Richard Vilardo worked as a hotel developer managing Marriott- and Hilton-branded hotels under the company he founded, Pinnacle Hotel Management.
The Vilardo home is located in a neighborhood of single-family homes west of I-270 and just south of Lakewood Country Club.
Editor's Note: This article was updated to include information released by police on Tuesday, May 12.
