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Police Say Son Admits to Beating Mother with Ball Bat

Gabriel Vilchez

New arrest reports are revealing disturbing details in the killing of a Sequatchie County mother.

Authorities say Silvia “Gabby” Vilchez was found dead at her home on Lewis Chapel Mountain. Her husband and 18-year-old son are now charged with her murder and with abusing her corpse.

Sequatchie County deputies say they found bloodstains and red spatter throughout the house — even on furniture and photos — along with a shop vacuum containing what appeared to be blood.

David Gardiner

Outside, investigators discovered human remains in a burn pile believed to be Vilchez’s.

According to the arrest reports, her son, Gabriel Vilchez, told detectives he beat his mother with a baseball bat while his stepfather, David Gardiner, watched. He said they then burned her remains.

Both men remain in custody as the investigation continues.

Lucky Knott

Lucky Knott is a longtime broadcaster, sportscaster, and news reporter, having worked in radio here in the Sequatchie Valley and in Coffee and Grundy County for many years. You can hear his news reports weekday mornings and afternoons on The River 104.9 WEPG in Marion County and Country Roads 93.3 in Dunlap/Pikeville. He is also Editor for SValleyNow.com - Sequatchie Valley Now.