Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for the man accused of murdering his father and stepmother as part of an alleged plan to conceal thefts and to inherit their significant estate.

The defendant, 41-year-old Colin Abbott of Randolph, N.J., is accused of murdering Kenneth Abbott, 65, and Celeste Abbott, 55, of Brady Township in early June.

Prosecutors in the Butler County District Attorney’s Office have asserted the couple was shot to death before their bodies were dismembered, burned and scattered about their own West Liberty Road homestead.

Colin Abbott, primary heir to the multimillion dollar estate, allegedly told family members that his father and stepmother died in a fiery car crash.

But the alleged plot unraveled when state troopers visited the couple’s home July 13 and discovered some of the remains.

Colin Abbott is charged with two counts each of homicide and abuse of a corpse.

On Tuesday, the district attorney’s office made known its intent to seek the death penalty by filing a Notice of Aggravating Circumstances in the case.

Prosecutors identified what they believe to be aggravating circumstances that if proven would qualify Colin Abbott for death penalty consideration.

State law identifies 18 circumstances that may qualify a defendant for the death penalty. Prosecutors need cite only one to seek capital punishment.

The prosecution named two circumstances in this case:

• More than one person was murdered.

• The killings took place during the commission of a felony.