Major Crimes detectives from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office have arrested a man in connection with the murder of a Dunnellon couple earlier this year.
Allyn S. Gilbert, 53, was charged with two counts of murder in the second degree Wednesday in the deaths of 75-year-old Layton Underwood and his 69-year-old wife, Donna. Gilbert, who detectives say confessed to the murders, is Layton Underwood’s former stepson and had been living on their Dunnellon property.
The investigation into the disappearance of the Underwoods began in January when they were reported missing by concerned family members. While investigating their disappearance, deputies located human remains in a shallow grave on the Underwood’s property. And they also found that Gilbert allegedly had stolen the couple’s car around the time they went missing.
A few days later, Gilbert was located in Omaha, Neb. with the Underwood’s vehicle in his possession. He was arrested on an outstanding Marion County warrant for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and transported back to Marion County. He then confessed to the murders, detectives say.
During his confession, Gilbert stated that he killed the couple during an altercation in his trailer, detectives say, adding that he said he disposed of Donna Underwood’s body in a dumpster and burned Layton Underwood’s body and buried his remains in the backyard grave. After a thorough search, detectives were only able to recover Layton Underwood’s remains.
Gilbert has been charged with two counts of second degree murder, motor vehicle theft and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is being held in the Marion County Jail on no bond and is due in court on April 30 at 9 a.m. on the two murder charges.