Into The Dark, Episode 151: The Xbox Massacre

Host: Payton Moreland
Release Date: December 24, 2025
Podcast Theme: Deep-dives into true crime stories, with an emphasis on motive, psychology, horror, and the mystifying darkness behind human actions.

Main Theme & Purpose

In this haunting episode titled "The Xbox Massacre," Payton Moreland explores a shocking 2004 massacre in Deltona, Florida, where six young people were brutally murdered over a petty dispute involving an Xbox and a squatter’s belongings. Payton methodically unpacks the crime, the troubled backgrounds of the perpetrators—especially the ringleader Troy Victorino—and reflects on the senselessness and horror of group violence. The episode weaves together narrative, psychological insight, and a call to remember the often-overlooked victims.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Setting the Stage – Senseless Violence ([05:16])

• Payton opens with a simple but powerful premise: "There is no good reason to murder someone." (05:20)
• She notes that while motives are sometimes comprehensible, some crimes, like this case, are "completely baffling or arbitrary… it's hard to wrap your head around." (05:35)
• The episode sets out to examine not only what happened but asks why such senseless things happen.

The Victims and the Setup ([06:02]–[09:53])

• Erin Bellinger: 22-year-old, newly living in Deltona, Florida, job-hunting alongside her boyfriend Francisco.
• Erin’s grandparents owned a seasonal home in Deltona, left empty in the summer. Erin checked on it periodically.
• From June or July 2004, Erin notices an unfamiliar car repeatedly parked at her grandparents’ house.
• Erin discovers a mattress in the garage—her gut tells her something is wrong. She calls police, who find Troy Victorino (27) and a teenage boy squatting.

“She walked up to the garage eventually and peered through a window. And that was when she saw a mattress lying on the floor in her grandparents’ garage. Of course, this is odd.” (07:24)

The Background of Troy Victorino ([09:54])

• Payton devotes considerable time to detailing Victorino's traumatic upbringing:
  • Suffered severe physical and sexual abuse as a child.
  • Grew up protecting siblings, purposely taking beatings in their stead.
  • Engaged in self-harm and attempted suicide before 18.
  • Started criminal activity early—arrested for car theft at 15, then aggravated battery at 19.
  • After his release, had nowhere to go and was tipped off about the empty house via a mutual friend of Erin.

“He engaged in self harm and actually attempted to take his own life multiple times before his 18th birthday.” (10:57)

The Squatting, Eviction, and Spark for Violence ([11:16])

• Once inside the vacant home, Troy lives openly, even throws parties.
• Eventually, police—responding to Erin’s report—evict Troy. Erin cleans out his belongings (including an Xbox), giving away or trashing what’s left.
• Payton notes, “[Troy] didn’t have enough time to gather his things before he left… Erin tossed all of his stuff into a box… She gave a few things away, she threw the rest in the garbage.” (13:08)

Escalating Tension ([14:42])

• Through a chain of events, Troy learns Erin has discarded his items.
• He (or people acting for him) confronts Erin at her home twice, aggressively demanding the return of his belongings. Each time, Erin calls the police; the harassers leave before authorities arrive.

“This made the people who were here for Troy or Troy very angry. They told her that she’d had no right to get rid of Troy’s stuff and they weren’t going to leave until they got it back.” (15:13)

• Troy calls police to complain about his "stolen" items, is told it's not his house and that he has "no claim." He ominously says: "Don't worry, I'll take care of it myself." (16:11)

The "Plan" and the Massacre ([16:26])

• Troy, seeking revenge, recruits three friends: Jaron Hunter, Michael Salas, and Robert Cannon.
• Payton notes the group explicitly models their attack on a movie ("Wonderland") about home invaders using aluminum bats.
• They purchase new bats, plan the attack in chilling detail (clean clothes for after, no witnesses, etc.)

Troy: “According to him beforehand, he tells his friends, there are not going to be any living witnesses by the time we leave this house.” (18:07)

• In the early hours of August 6, 2004, the four break into Erin’s home where she and five others are sleeping. Victims include Erin, her boyfriend Francisco, roommate Michelle, Michelle’s boyfriend Anthony, and two co-worker houseguests, Jonathan and Roberto ("Tito").
• The attack is methodical and extraordinarily violent. Michelle attempts to hide, but is brutally beaten and stabbed. Erin’s dog tries to defend her; Troy kills it instantly. Erin and the others are killed, some after severe torture and, in Erin’s case, post-mortem mutilation and sexual assault.

“He murdered Francisco quickly, but he takes his time with Aaron... he sexually assaulted and mutilated her body before leaving her room.” (20:41)

“By the time they were done, just like they had planned, nobody in this house was left alive.” (22:05)

Discovery of the Crime ([23:01])

• The crime is discovered when the Burger King manager comes to check on the no-show employees/co-workers.
• The house is described as a bloodbath; manager calls police without fully entering, fearing the worst.

“When he arrived, he found the front door unlocked… This is when he sees the horrifying crime scene. Okay, there is blood everywhere. Red splatters coated the walls, the floors… The moment he saw the blood, he left because he’s too afraid to look any further.” (24:14)

The Investigation and Arrests ([27:05])

• Investigators quickly focus on Troy Victorino:
  • He’d been evicted from the house the week prior.
  • Multiple police calls and a recent 911 complaint gave him motive.
• Physical evidence: blood, bootprints, fingerprints, and murder weapons (aluminum bats found in a pond after a tip from Troy’s ex-girlfriend).
• Troy is arrested—literally shows up to the station in boots matching bloody prints at the scene.

“At the station, Troy literally showed up with blood on his boots. They were also the exact same size and shape as some of the prints left at the Deltona house.” (27:34)

• Interrogations ensue—Troy first claims his friends acted on his behalf, but wasn’t initially present. The co-conspirators’ stories shift, but physical and testimonial evidence tie them all to the massacre.

The Trials & Sentencing ([31:56])

• All four charged with six counts of first-degree murder, as well as charges for abuse of a dead body, animal cruelty, conspiracy, and more.
• Robert Cannon pleads guilty; the other three are tried together.
• Sentences: Michael and Robert get life; Troy and Jaron sentenced to death.
• A cascade of legal complications—the evolving Florida death penalty laws—lead to several resentencing hearings. As of this episode’s recording, both Troy and Jaron are again eligible for the death penalty, but final sentencing awaits a judge’s ruling.

Psychological & Societal Reflections ([36:55])

• Payton is openly shaken, reflecting on the group psychology and evil at the heart of such a crime.
• She references the Stanford Prison Experiment to draw parallels to how group dynamics and power can enable atrocity.

“It seems to me like the more people involved in a crime, the more horrendous it gets. Almost like there's this psychology behind, like, group crime where if one person's doing it, it makes it okay, and it just gets worse and worse… There's something about people bringing out the worst in each other…” (36:55)

• She underscores the utter senselessness: Six lives destroyed over “an Xbox and some clothes.”

“This case has, like, gutted me... The brutality, the terror that everyone in that house must have went through in their final moments. And for what?” (36:31)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Senselessness:
  • “Six people died over an Xbox and some clothes, and four people agreed to do this.” – Payton (36:36)
• On the Nature of Group Crime:
  • “It just seems like this nasty group mentality where you would think human behavior, like, how can you find humans who can all do this together?” – Payton (36:59)
• On the Impact:
  • “This case has, like, gutted me... the epitome of the ugliness of true crime and the ugliness of humanity.” – Payton (36:46)
• Victims' Humanity:
  • “Please keep the victims of this case in your thoughts today. Keep their families in your thoughts today. And remember that despite the ugliness in this world, you can be a light in your own world. You can be good, you can feel good, and you can spread good.” – Payton (38:46)

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Content | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 05:16 | Trigger warning, opening thesis on senseless murder | | 06:02 | Introduction to Erin Bellinger & setting | | 07:24 | Discovery of the squatter and initial police encounter | | 09:54 | The life and trauma of Troy Victorino | | 13:08 | Eviction, belongings discarded, escalation begins | | 14:42 | The confrontation at Erin’s home, Troy’s anger grows | | 16:11 | Troy’s ominous threat after being dismissed by police | | 16:26 | Troy assembles his crew and plots revenge | | 18:07 | Describes plan to leave “no living witnesses” | | 20:41 | Graphic description of the killings, animal cruelty, and sexual assault | | 22:05 | All six innocent people dead at hands of four intruders | | 24:14 | Manager discovers the blood-soaked scene, calls police | | 27:05 | Police investigation, mounting evidence, arrest of Troy | | 31:56 | Details on the trial, verdicts, and sentencing complications due to Florida law changes | | 36:31 | Reflection on the scale and horror of the crime | | 36:55 | Payton’s psychological and societal takeaways on group violence | | 38:46 | Final thoughts; honoring victims, call to choose good |

Tone & Language

• Conversational but deeply empathetic and at times raw. Payton doesn’t shy away from expressing confusion, horror, or anger at the crime’s senselessness.
• The language alternates between clear, emotional narration and analytical reflection, always centering on the victims and the broader human questions the crime inspires.

Conclusion

Payton leaves listeners with the reminder to remember victims over perpetrators, and to be vigilant against indifference and groupthink that can enable evil. The episode is both a detailed, respectful account of the Deltona massacre and a meditation on the darkest corners of human behavior.

“Despite the ugliness in this world, you can be a light in your own world. You can be good, you can feel good, and you can spread good.” (38:46)