A man in Virginia has been convicted of first-degree murder for the savage killing of a woman he mistakenly believed was his ex-girlfriend.
Richard Montano, 48, stabbed and beat Silvia “Kelly” Vaca Abacay, 40, before setting her apartment on fire. The brutal attack left Abacay with 10 stab wounds and blunt-force trauma injuries to her face, head, and neck.
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The motive behind the crime was Montano’s mistaken belief that Abacay was his ex-girlfriend, who had ended their relationship a month earlier.
Prosecutors described the crime scene and autopsy photos as some of the most disturbing they had ever encountered.
In the month leading up to the murder, Montano had been repeatedly entering Abacay’s apartment without her knowledge, as captured by a Ring doorbell camera.
A neighbor called 911 after hearing screams and loud noises on the day of the murder. The call, which captured Abacay’s desperate pleas for help, was played during the trial.
When first responders arrived at the scene, they found Abacay’s body on fire. Despite their efforts to save her, she was pronounced dead at the scene. The apartment was left in a state of carnage, with blood stains running down the walls.
Abacay, described as a beloved mom and wife, leaves behind two teenage children, her husband, and a devastated community of family and friends. Her friend, Jose Luis Landivar, spoke of her joyful and caring nature, expressing deep sorrow at her loss.
Richard Montano’s conviction brings some measure of justice to Abacay’s family, although it cannot undo the pain and grief they continue to endure.
Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano hopes that this conviction will be the first step towards healing for the victim’s loved ones.
Montano is scheduled to be sentenced on January 19, 2024, and he faces the possibility of life in prison. The conviction ensures that he will no longer pose a danger to the community.
