Boyfriend Kills Kindhearted 33-YO Woman Who Went Missing After Going to Cook Him Dinner | She Saw “Good in Everybody”

Trigger Warning: The following content contains descriptions of murder, mutilation, and domestic violence, which may be distressing to some readers.

A Chicago woman who was last seen on June 2 was discovered dead in a duffel bag at her boyfriend's apartment, stabbed to a violent degree, and almost decapitated.

Brittany Battaglia, 33, was repeatedly stabbed with such power that her head was nearly severed, Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Mike Pekara revealed during a press conference on June 8, NBC Chicago reported. Genesis Silva, 34, who was Battaglia's boyfriend for over a year, was charged with homicide, concealing a homicide, and hindering a police officer, WGN9 reported. Genesis Silva was a convicted criminal and has been a registered sex offender.

When she was last seen, Battaglia told her roommate she was heading to her boyfriend's Logan Square apartment nearby, and would subsequently be heading to a party on June 2 at around 6:30 p.m. Her roommate attempted to get in touch with Battaglia's brother when she didn't come home, but she was unable to do so, according to WGN9. 

Battaglia never attended the party, as her brother later discovered. He and Battaglia's housemate reported her missing. Quamieshia Greathouse, Battaglia's roommate, told ABC7 that Battaglia was going to her boyfriend's home to cook him dinner on Friday night and that she had plans of traveling later. 

"I specifically waited to see if she would come home and pack for her trip because that's something she definitely wouldn't miss,” she told ABC7. “And, when I realized she was not going to make it in time for that flight. I knew immediately that something was horribly wrong. I've definitely warned her about this person, but Brittany's nature is to see the good in everybody."

Later that day, authorities entered Silva's flat with a search warrant and allegedly discovered two machetes there, according to Pakera. “During the search, the large duffle bag in the bedroom was searched,” Pekara said. “The victim’s body was found inside that bag. It was later determined by the medical examiner’s office that the victim had died from multiple sharp force wounds and her head was almost severed off,” he added.

The prosecution said that they allegedly discovered a tarp, trash bags, cleaning materials, and a note that stated, "Can you ask average time until smell," according to CBS Chicago. When Silva was stopped for a traffic violation, police searched him and allegedly discovered two pocket knives and an ice pick on him, ABC7 reported.

Silva was escorted back to his flat by detectives, who advised him to remain outside of it because it was thought to be a crime scene, according to ABC7. The police said they apprehended him when he attempted to enter the flat by a rear staircase.

AJ Battaglia said his sister "was just a very good person." He added, "She got along with everybody. She tries to see the good in everybody, doesn't matter who you are. She had such a diverse friend group, which was really cool to see."

One of her friends, Jen Hall, has organized a GoFundMe to support her expenses. "It’s remarkable how many people's lives our dear Brittany has touched. The family and close friends appreciate you all and have the deepest gratitude for the love and support," the fundraiser read.

References:

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/disturbing-details-uncovered-by-prosecutors-in-stabbing-death-of-logan-square-woman/3157699/

https://wgntv.com/news/chicagocrime/docs-logan-square-woman-found-nearly-decapitated-in-duffle-bag-boyfriend-had-cleaning-supplies/

https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/suspect-charged-logan-square-death/

https://abc7chicago.com/brittany-battaglia-chicago-genesis-silva-found-missing/13357874/

Cover Image Source: GoFundMe