Woman, 33, found stabbed to death and stuffed in duffel bag in Chicago apartment a week after she was reported missing: Boyfriend arrested for murder
- Brittany Battaglia went missing after saying she was going to her boyfriend’s house
- Her partner Genesis Silva, 35, has been arrested in connection with her murder
- Her body was found in the home of the registered sex offender on Sunday
A week after she disappeared, a 33-year-old woman was found stabbed to death, with her head nearly severed, in a duffel bag in a Chicago apartment.
Brittany Battaglia’s boyfriend, Genesis Silva, 35, has been charged with covering up a murder and a felony for interfering with an officer in connection with her murder.
Her body was found Sunday in Silva’s bedroom, a block from her home, according to Cook County prosecutors.
Traces of suspicious blood were also found in the house, as well as on a machete belonging to Silva, who is a registered sex offender.
Police also reportedly discovered a tarp and trash bags in the kitchen, cleaning supplies, a paint pack, and a note that read, “Can you ask how long it takes to smell?”
Brittany Battaglia, 33, was found dead on Sunday, a week after she went missing when she said she went to her boyfriend’s house
Her boyfriend Genesis Silva, 35, has been charged with concealing a murder and a felony for obstructing an officer in connection with her murder
Her body was found Sunday in a duffel bag in Silva’s bedroom in his apartment (pictured), one block from her home
Two days before Battaglia’s body was found, she had told her roommate Quamieshia Greathouse that she was going to Silva’s house to cook for him, as reported by ABC Chicago.
Battaglia’s brother AJ told the outlet that his sister’s phone location was turned off that night and she was never heard from again.
Greathouse added that she was concerned when Battaglia failed to show up at a party she had planned that night.
The couple had been dating for more than a year, she said.
Police stopped Silva near his home on Sunday for a traffic check and returned him to his apartment.
Detectives stated it was a possible crime scene and instructed Silva to wait outside the apartment while they obtained a search warrant.
He was taken into custody when he tried to enter the apartment via a rear interior staircase, per police who say they found two cell phones, two small pocket knives and an ice pick on him.
Battaglia’s brother AJ said his sister’s phone location was turned off Friday night and she was never heard from again
Silva, a convicted sex offender, has been arrested at least five times since 2010
The machete with blood was found in his backpack and a second machete was found in his car. As a convicted felon, Silva is not allowed to have a machete.
Police say they discovered the body in his bedroom after getting the warrant.
Silva pleaded guilty in 2009 to aggravated criminal sexual assault – a charge downgraded from attempted murder and aggravated criminal assault.
Since 2010, he has been arrested at least five times.
Silva has not been charged with murder, but prosecutors have not ruled out additional charges.
A public defender assigned to Silva argued that the pocket knives and machetes allegedly found on the suspect do not qualify as weapons under state law and that the items had not been linked to the crime.
He was denied bail during his first trial on Thursday and is expected to appear in court again on June 20.
A GoFundMe page set up for Battaglia’s family has raised more than $12,000.