BURRILLVILLE, R.I. (
MyFoxBoston.com) -- Two people charged in the death of a Worcester man found buried under concrete faced a judge on Monday.
Police in Massachusetts were
working the case for weeks before finding the body of Domingo Ortiz.
"There's no question about it. These folks murdered someone in a particularly brutal manner," said Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Kilmartin.
On Friday, the 60-year-old grandfather's body was found buried beneath cement, boulders, and fill at a home in Burrillville, R.I.
Steven Pietrowicz, 30, and his girlfriend, 40-year-old Michelle Morin, both from Worcester, were
arrested for Ortiz's murder. Both were living at the Rhode Island home where it's believed Ortiz was beaten to death and buried.
"I think that shows an indication of the animosity if you will or the heinousness of this crime," Kilmartin said.
Ortiz was last seen alive in Worcester on May 5, getting into a car driven by Pietrowicz and Morin.
Police say their investigation revealed that a fight broke out between Oritz and Pietrowicz during a night of drinking at the Rhode Island home.
Investigators say they found broken furniture, blood, and evidence that bleach was used inside the house
K9 searches failed to turn up any sign of Domingo Oritz,
But after talking to another couple in Pennsylvania who stayed at the same house, police located Ortiz in the homemade grave, beneath a deck.
And they learned just how vicious his death was.
"The charges against Pietrowicz and Morin stem from each of them beating Ortiz, both with their hands and with a club," Kilmartin said. "At times, Ortiz's legs were tied while he was being beaten."
Police won't say if they think Ortiz was buried alive; they'll await an autopsy report for that information.
Ortiz's family said they believe their father did not do anything to deserve such a death.
