Who is Brian Montez Williams? Indiana man who killed a woman and cut off all her fingers and toes pleads guilty
CLARKSVILLE, INDIANA: An Indiana man, who reportedly murdered a woman and then went on to slaughter her and cut off her fingers and toes before stuffing them in a suitcase that was found in his home, has pleaded guilty, court records show.
On Monday, October 2, Brian Montez Williams pleaded guilty to murdering a woman on July 26, 2021. He reportedly killed 67-year-old Melody Gambetty at her apartment in Clarksville, Indiana.
The 38-year-old faces up to 55 years in prison, according to Louisville Fox affiliate WDRB.
When did the authorities find the victim?
A probable cause arrest affidavit states that the Clarksville Fire Department was dispatched to an apartment and once they reached the scene, they discovered a woman later identified as Gambetty on the ground, decapitated with all her fingers and toes missing.
The defendant was described as 'very polite' by his neighbors
Authorities interacted with neighbors who said there was a suspicious man wearing a tank top and rubber boots going door-to-door that day at the apartment complex asking people if he could do “community service work.”
One of the neighbors said the man identified himself as “Brian W” and gave him a phone number so the neighbor could call him if he had any work in the future.
Neighbors also described the man as “very polite,” the affidavit said.
A detective apparently dialed the number and Williams answered and told the authorities his address. According to the affidavit, they went to his home and he came out wearing the same rubber boots neighbors had described.
He confirmed the story that neighbors had told detectives about seeking community service work and said he left the area at around 5 pm and went to a friend’s house at a nearby apartment complex.
Brian Montez Williams was seen carrying two suitcases in a video
According to a surveillance footage from a home across the street from Gambetty’s apartment, a man matching Williams’ description walked into her apartment at 12.42 pm and exited at 3.51 pm carrying two suitcases.
The suspect then put the two suitcases in the backseat of Gambetty’s car and drove away, the affidavit said.
Detectives obtained a search warrant for Brian Montez Williams’ apartment
Detectives obtained a search warrant for Williams’ apartment where investigators made a horrifying discovery. They found Gambetty’s head inside one of the suitcases.
They also discovered several of her fingers and toes in a plastic container with a lid inside a suitcase.
Officers also found a small hand saw with apparent human tissue, hair and blood on the blade, according to the affidavit.
The suitcases also contained Gambetty’s driver’s license and credit cards. Gambetty’s car was found at the apartment complex where Williams’ friend lived.
When was the victim killed?
Police believe Gambetty was stabbed in a home invasion and burglary gone wrong and had no apparent connection with Williams, as per the outlet.
Williams was charged with murder, arson, auto theft and theft. Records show the murder charge was dropped as part of the plea deal. He will be sentenced on December 11.
Gambetty worked as the benefits coordinator at the Sonoco packaging plant in New Albany before it closed in 2016 according to her obituary.
“She was very devoted to her Sonoco ‘family’ and even though she was offered job opportunities locally and elsewhere with Sonoco, she wouldn’t leave as long as there were people still there. She was faithful to the end. She loved the people and her job,” the obituary said.
Gambetty then went on to work for the News & Tribune newspaper before she retired about four months before her death.