A teenage boy and his stepfather have appeared in court over the alleged brutal killing of his mother, whose charred body was discovered on the family property. Gabriel Vilchez, 18, and his 64-year-old stepfather, David Gardiner, have been charged with murder and abuse of a corpse in connection with the death of Silvia Vilchez.
Authorities were alerted after friends of Silvia grew concerned about her disappearance. When police visited the family home, Gabriel and Gardiner initially told officers she was in her native Costa Rica. However, investigators quickly deemed the circumstances suspicious.
During a search of the property, law enforcement discovered charred human remains, later confirmed to be Silvia’s, according to the Sequatchie County Sheriff’s Office. At a preliminary hearing on December 8, authorities described the grisly scene inside the family home.
Detective Bryan Wilkie said investigators found “red-brown stains on the garbage, on all four walls… blood on the desk, printer, baseboards, and walls.” Gabriel allegedly admitted to police that he beat Silvia with a bat in the home office before dragging her body to a fire pit. He also claimed his stepfather watched and joined in the assault. The men then allegedly burned Silvia’s body in the fire pit.
Gardiner, however, gave a different account, telling authorities he was a “heavy sleeper” and claimed he knew nothing about the beating or burning of the body.
No motive has been publicly disclosed. Both Gabriel and Gardiner face first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse charges. Gardiner’s bond was set at $250,000, while Gabriel was ordered held without bail. Their next court date is scheduled for January 30.
The case follows other shocking incidents involving teenagers, including a 13-year-old girl in St. Petersburg, Russia, who allegedly killed her mother after an argument over her phone. Authorities say the girl cannot face trial due to her age, though a criminal investigation has been opened.
