Most Wanted Fugitive May Be In Bay Area, Marshals Say

The U.S. Marshals Service is asking Tampa Bay area residents to keep their eyes open for a man they have named to the agency’s 15 Most Wanted List.

Matthew Dion, 39, was last seen in the St. Petersburg area in September, said Deputy U.S. Marshal Jeffrey White. Dion may still be in the region, he added, but his exact whereabouts is unknown.

Dion was recently named to the agency’s most-wanted list. He is wanted on a variety of charges including second-degree murder, arson and possession of child pornography.

The case against Dion began to develop on March 24, 2014, when the Manchester, N.H., fire department responded to a fire and explosion at the home of Dion’s parents, Robert and Constance.

“After suppressing the fire and gaining entry into the residence, firefighters discovered the deceased bodies of the elderly couple in the basement of their home,” an email to media from the marshals service stated. “Further evidence led investigators to determine the cause of the fire was arson, and the couple’s deaths were ruled homicides.”

Matthew Dion, marshals say, lived at the home and was missing from the scene.

See Also:

• ‘Shawshank’ Fugitive Leaves Florida for Ohio
• Flag-Stomping, ‘Terrorist’ Fugitive Arrested in Tampa

On Sept. 3, 2014, Dion was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and arson. Those charges came after an April 4 child pornography charge, the email stated.

Authorities, however, have not yet been able to catch up with Dion and believe he fled New Hampshire shortly after the crimes took place.

In November of last year, a charge of unlawful flight was added to the list of crimes attributed to Dion. That charge enabled the U.S. Marshals Service to become involved in the manhunt, the email stated.

“Matthew Dion’s alleged crimes have made him the latest addition to our 15 Most Wanted list, which is reserved for those suspected of heinous crimes such as those Dion is accused of committing,” U.S. Marshals Service Director Stacia Hylton was quoted in the email as saying. “Our Deputy U.S. Marshals and federal and local partners are dedicated to his apprehension so that he may face justice.”

Dion is known to have ties in the Tampa Bay area and in Georgia, marshals say. It is believed he may be carrying a weapon and should be considered armed and dangerous, the email noted.

Dion is described as being 5-foot-10 and weighs about 170 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes and also has a small horizontal scar on his forehead and blackened teeth. Marshals say he may be driving a stolen 2013 silver Hyundai Elantra.

“His interests include art museums, photography, music, and playing the piano,” authorities noted. “He is also fluent in French and has strong computer skills.”

A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that directly leads to Dion’s arrest. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 1-800-336-0102.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Marshals Service

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