Man gets life sentence for mistaken identity murder

• Richard Montano was sentenced to life.
• Justice for Silvia Vaca Abacay.
• He murdered her by mistake.

Nearly two years after her brutal murder, a grieving family gets justice.

Richard Montano, stabbed Silvia Vaca Abacay, 40, and set her body on fire inside her home in Fairfax County, Virginia.

«The extreme level of violence and complete disregard for human life demonstrated by Richard Montano is of a level rarely seen in Fairfax County,» said Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano in a statement reviewed by MundoNow.

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Richard Montano was sentenced to life

Silvia Vaca Abacay, whose friends called her Kelly, was described by her husband, José Luis Landívar, as a friendly and joyful woman who was always ready to help others.

She was adored by her children and her entire family. Her remains now rest in her native Bolivia.

The terrible mistake that forever scarred two young children and a Hispanic family occurred on the afternoon of August 10, 2022.

This happened inside the apartment that Kelly and her husband were renting from Montano’s ex-girlfriend, Fátima Vía Rojas.

Richard Montano meant to kill his ex-girlfriend

The evidence presented in the trial demonstrated that Montano had entered the apartment with the intention of killing his ex-girlfriend as revenge for ending their eight-year relationship.

He hid by the door and attacked the first person to enter the apartment.

Neighbors called police after hearing the terrified screams of Silvia Vaca Abacay.

When they arrived, the officers «Officers observed smoke emanating from the apartment when they arrived. Inside, they found Abacay on fire and suffering from multiple stab wounds to the upper body,» the Fairfax County Police Department said in a statement.

Silvia Kelly Vaca Abacay was brutally murdered

Rescuers attempted to save Abacay, but her injuries were too severe and they pronounced her dead at the scene.

The forensic report indicated that her body had at least 10 wounds from a blunt object and 10 stab wounds, in addition to the burns.

«He murdered the wrong person and then set fire to a body to cover up a horrifying murder, a horrifying murder of the wrong person,» argued the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s attorney.

According to police, Montano broke into the home and waited to attack his ex.

He was caught on camera

Montano was unaware that the neighbor’s Ring camera had recorded his frequent visits to the property, including his entrance and exit at the time of the murder.

Following his arrest, Montano pleaded not guilty but a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder and arson of an occupied dwelling.

The loss to Silvia Vaca Abacay’s family and loved ones is unimaginable.

Nothing can undo her unnecessary and senseless death, but from today onwards, the defendant will not be able to harm anyone else in our community,» concluded the Commonwealth’s Attorney.