Who is Richard Montano? Man who stabbed and torched a Virginia woman after mistaking her for his ex-GF convicted of first-degree murder
FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA: A man who stabbed and battered a Virginia woman to death before setting her ablaze reportedly thought her to be his ex-girlfriend, prosecutors have said.
On Thursday, October 5, Richard Montano, 48, was convicted by a jury of first-degree murder for the horrific slaying of Silvia "Kelly" Vaca Abacay, 40, on August 10 last year.
He "quite literally went for the jugular," prosecutors said during the trial as they mentioned Abacay's autopsy that detailed 10 stab wounds and blunt-force trauma injuries on her face, head and neck before Montano torched the apartment.
What did the Fairfax County attorney say?
"As Commonwealth's Attorney, I've seen considerable crime scenes and photos, but the photos from this case stood out in terms of the victims' injuries," Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano said.
"This case exhibited some of the most disturbing crime scenes I’ve ever encountered," Descano added.
The victim was staying with the killer's former partner
The victim was staying with her close friend Via Rojas who had ended an eight-year relationship with Montano at the end of July 2022, Descano said in a press release after the conviction.
According to him, a Ring doorbell camera caught Montano barging into her apartment multiple times without her knowledge the following month.
Montano was even caught on camera in the apartment 10 days before Abacay was killed.
A neighbor alerted the authorities about the incident
A neighbor called 911 multiple times after hearing screams and loud noises the afternoon that Montano killed the "beloved mom and wife," Descano said. The emergency call was played during the trial.
"Listen to the pain and anguish in Silvia's voice as she is screaming for her life," prosecutors said during the trial, according to NBC Washington.
"The screaming and banging continued for 15 minutes that Silvia Abacay endured a violent attack that left Apartment 101 in carnage," prosecutors added.
What did the police find on reaching the scene?
A detective, who testified during the trial, said there were blood stains running down the walls, according to WUSA9.com. First responders were rudely greeted by a cloud of smoke coming from the Falls Church apartment, and discovered Abacay's body on fire. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
"He murdered the wrong person, and now he needs to cover his tracks," prosecutors said during the trial.
"Kelly was friendly and full of joy, and always there to help others," her friend Jose Luis Landivar said in a GoFundMe post, adding "She was loved by so many, and will be deeply missed. Her family and friends are heartbroken at their loss."
She is survived by her husband, two teenage children, and many relatives and friends.
Descano acknowledged that this week's conviction won't bring Abacay back, but he hopes it "provides the victim's family with the first step towards healing."
"This conviction ensures that the defendant is no longer a danger to members of our community," he said in statement.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on January 19, 2024, and he faces up to life in prison.