Missing woman's body, nearly decapitated, discovered in duffle bag at apartment of convicted sex offender.

     

A 34-year-old registered sex offender in Illinois, Genesis Silva, has been arrested in connection with the death of his 33-year-old girlfriend, after police say they found the woman’s nearly decapitated body, stuffed into a duffle bag in the man’s apartment.

He was taken into custody and charged with one count of concealing a homicide and one count of unlawful use of a weapon in Brittany Battaglia’s death.

According to the Chicago PD, Battaglia was last seen alive when she left home at about 6:30 p.m. on June 2, 2023.

The victim told her roommate that she was going to Silva’s apartment and then to a party.

Battaglia’s best friend and roommate, Quamieshia Greathouse, first grew concerned when Battaglia never showed up to the party as planned.

She was reported missing on June 4, 2023 by her family after she didn't return home and was unreachable.

A search was immediately ordered Silvas Apartment, since she said she was going to see him, and he was a person of interest in the investigation of her disappearance. 

Police said Silva was told to wait outside during the search but he allegedly tried to sneak into the residence through a back staircase.

It was at this point he was formally taken into custody

During the search, a large duffle bag found in the bedroom, and the victim’s body was found inside that bag.

She died from multiple sharp force wounds, and her head was almost severed off, he added.

Further search of Silva’s apartment reportedly revealed trace amounts of Battaglia’s blood.

Silva allegedly had a backpack when he was taken into custody. 

Inside the bag, police say they found a machete that later tested positive for Battaglia’s blood.

While Silva is not currently charged with Battaglia’s murder, authorities have emphasized that the case into her death is ongoing, and more charges are likely.

The victim's roommate, Greathouse said that she had warned Battaglia that Silva, a convicted felon, was not safe to be around.

Silva was convicted in 2009 of aggravated sexual abuse using force, according to records from the Illinois State Police. 

The victim of the assault was Silva’s then-wife, Diana Ochoa, and he was sentenced to two years of probation.

Silva is being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court on June 20, 2023.

R.I.P to the victim and our heart goes out to the family of the deceased.