Son arrested in Algonquin Township couple's 2006 slayings

More than seven years after he told authorities he found his parents murdered in their Cary-area home, a former Algonquin man is behind bars in a Nevada jail facing charges he killed the couple.

Michael Romano, 54, was arrested Tuesday in Las Vegas after a McHenry County grand jury indicted him on four counts of first-degree murder stemming from the slayings of Nick Romano, 71, and Gloria Romano, 65, according to the McHenry County Sheriff's Office.

Police say the Romanos were shot to death execution-style Nov. 19, 2006 in their Algonquin Township residence. According to authorities, Michael Romano told investigators he discovered the couple's bodies in separate areas of the home, dressed in their daytime clothing, when he dropped by to check on their well-being at 3 a.m.

Authorities zeroed in on Michael Romano's possible involvement early in the investigation, saying they believed he had information that could help solve the case. However, he chose not to cooperate with investigators, police said at the time.

Nicholas Romano, Michael's older brother, discussed his sibling's lack of cooperation with investigators when speaking to the Daily Herald a year after the murders.

“My brother has not lifted a finger to help me or our family with this,” he said at the time. “I just want someone to explain to me why he isn't helping us.”

Sheriff Keith Nygren said Thursday the investigation into the Romano murders remains open, and the couple's other family members still have a $100,000 reward for information leading to a conviction.

“With his arrest, maybe it will lead to some additional information the state's attorney's office can use at trial,” he said.

Romano, who has been living in Las Vegas, was being held in the Clark County jail without bond, according to records. Local authorities said he waived extradition back to Illinois on Thursday and will be transported to the McHenry County jail, where a $3 million bond has been set.