A 24-year-old New York man has admitted that he helped kill his girlfriend’s grandfather, bury the victim in a shallow grave, and participate in a weeks-long effort to convince investigators that the elderly man had simply left town in his classic Mercedes-Benz.
Drew White pleaded guilty Wednesday in Greene County Court to multiple felony charges stemming from the October 2025 killing of 69-year-old Roger Pitt Sr. Court records show White admitted his role in the homicide as well as the subsequent attempts to conceal the crime.
White Pleads Guilty to Multiple Felony Charges
As part of his plea, White pleaded guilty to:
- Second-degree murder
- Second-degree conspiracy
- Tampering with physical evidence
- Concealment of a human corpse
Under the terms of his plea agreement, White is expected to receive a sentence of 19 years to life in state prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 8.
Family Claimed Victim Left Home in His Mercedes
The investigation began after Roger Pitt’s relatives told authorities that he had packed his belongings following an argument and voluntarily left his home in Cairo, New York, driving away in his 1987 Mercedes-Benz.
Investigators initially considered the possibility that Pitt had left on his own. However, detectives with the Greene County Sheriff’s Office soon found inconsistencies in the family’s account.
After obtaining search warrants for the property, investigators discovered Roger Pitt’s remains buried in a shallow grave on the family’s land.
Prosecutors Say Household Disputes Led to Murder Plot
According to prosecutors, White and the victim’s son, Rodney Pitt, conspired to kill Roger Pitt following ongoing disagreements over household expenses.
The indictment also alleges that Roger Pitt opposed White moving into the family home with Rodney Pitt’s underage daughter, creating additional tension within the household.
Authorities allege that sometime between October 16 and October 18, 2025, Roger Pitt’s throat was fatally slashed with a box-cutter-style blade.
The medical examiner later ruled that Pitt died from sharp-force injuries to the neck, and his death was officially classified as a homicide.
Authorities Say Evidence Was Destroyed After the Killing
Prosecutors allege that after the murder, White and Rodney Pitt buried the victim in the backyard before taking several steps to cover up the crime.
According to the indictment, they allegedly:
- Buried Roger Pitt’s body in a shallow grave.
- Cleaned blood from inside the residence.
- Destroyed his Social Security card, driver’s license, and other identifying documents.
- Hid the license plate from his Mercedes-Benz inside a wall of the home.
Investigators believe these actions were intended to make it appear that Roger Pitt had voluntarily disappeared.
Daughter-in-Law Accused of Destroying Vehicle
Roger Pitt’s daughter-in-law, Tania Pitt, has been charged with helping dispose of the victim’s Mercedes-Benz.
According to prosecutors, she allegedly transported the vehicle to a scrapyard, where it was destroyed.
Authorities have not accused her of participating in the murder itself, but allege she assisted in concealing evidence after the killing.
White Admits His Role in Court
During Wednesday’s plea hearing, White admitted his involvement in the killing and described how the victim’s body was buried.
He also acknowledged that the Mercedes-Benz was scrapped as part of the effort to hide the homicide and mislead investigators.
Missing Person Report Led to Discovery
The case began after Roger Pitt’s sister repeatedly tried to contact him without success.
After she was unable to reach him, she reported him missing on November 18, 2025.
Although relatives initially insisted that Pitt had left after an argument, investigators later determined he had actually been dead for approximately one month before his remains were discovered.
Cases Against Other Defendants Continue
Rodney Pitt has pleaded not guilty to charges that include second-degree murder and remains jailed without bail while awaiting trial.
Meanwhile, Tania Pitt has also pleaded not guilty and remains free pending trial.
Both cases remain in the discovery phase, and prosecutors are still deciding whether White will testify against the remaining defendants as part of his plea agreement.
White is expected to be formally sentenced on September 8, when he is anticipated to receive a prison sentence of 19 years to life for his role in the murder and cover-up.
