Dad allegedly admits to killing family, dog in Florida Disney World community

A man has been charged with alleged homicide after police found his wife and three kids dead — believing he was lived with their bodies for weeks.

A man living in a fairytale neighbourhood built by Disney World has allegedly confessed to killing his wife, three children and the family dog — and the bodies may have been in their home for weeks, authorities said on Wednesday.

Anthony Todt, 44, has been charged with multiple counts of homicide and one felony count of animal cruelty after he was found with the bodies of his wife and kids in their Celebration, Florida home, the New York Post reports.

A mugshot of Anthony Todt has since been released. Picture: Facebook

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Russ Gibson, a local sheriff, said the bodies have not been positively identified, but investigators “strongly believe” they are of wife Megan Todt and the couple’s three kids, Alec, 13, Tyler, 11, and Zoe, four.

He added officials believe the family were killed “sometime towards the end of December”.

The sheriff’s office was contacted several times in recent weeks about the Todts and visited the family’s property after the murders took place only to leave when no one answered the door.

The visit first came when one of Todts’ relatives reached out to officers on December 29, according to Mr Gibson, who said they became concerned when no-one could reach the family for two days after being told they all had the flu.

Anthony Todt has been charged with murdering his wife Megan and their three children Alec, 13, Tyler, 11, and Zoe, 4. Picture: Facebook

Officers visited the home that day, checked the property and spoke with neighbours — but they didn’t observe anything suspicious and left when no one answered the door, Mr Gibson said. The did note the blinds were all drawn.

“It’s not unreasonable to believe that the bodies were there, based on what we’ve seen in the homes and based on (Mr Todt’s) statements,” Mr Gibson said.

“It does appear as if that timeline matches.”

Mr Gibson declined to provide details about how the victims were killed and said he was unaware of why the federal government was investigating Mr Todt.

“We grieve along with the victims’ family and friends, along with the community, for this tragic loss of innocent lives,” Mr Gibson said during a news conference at his office. “Myself, I cannot understand what would cause a person to commit such evil and horrendous acts.”

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Mr Todt allegedly confessed to the murders. Picture: Wesh

The second visit to the Todt home came on January 9, federal agents contacted the office regarding its own investigation into the father-of-three.

Officers couldn’t get in contact with Mr Todt or his family and again visited the home only to (again) leave when there was no answer and nothing suspicious.

Mr Gibson said officials knew the family liked to travel and that it was not uncommon for them to be away from their home for long periods of time.

“If there’s nothing noted suspicious, there wouldn’t be a reason to go back to the house to check on someone who may have the flu or they just haven’t heard from them in a few days,” Mr Gibson said.

The family’s home in Celebration, Florida, a fairytale neighbourhood built by Disney World. Picture: Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP

Then a third attempt by police was made, with Mr Todt answering the door of the home on Monday.

Authorities arrived to serve a warrant related to a federal investigation that came after concerns from frantic relatives, who had reported the family missing, Mr Gibson said.

Officials then found the bodies and placed Mr Todt under arrest. His alleged motive was not immediately clear.

The family had roots in Connecticut, where Mr Todt practised physical therapy. He would work during the week in Connecticut and travel back to his family on the weekends.

But Mr Todt let his physical-therapy license expire in September, The Day of Connecticut reported. The couple were slapped with an eviction notice on December 22.

This article originally appeared on the New York Post and was reproduced with permission