Human remains have been found in the former residence of a man convicted last week of murder in the death of his wife, Pennsylvania authorities said.
The (Johnstown) Tribune-Democrat reports that Brian Giles, 48, lived with Nancy Giles in an apartment at the Johnstown home before he disappeared in October 2018. His remains were found in May 2019 in a grave shallow near a road on the slope of the sloping plain in the center of Johnstown.
Cambria County jurors deliberated for about an hour Thursday before convicting Brian Giles of first-degree murder and aggravated assault in the death of Nancy Giles, CBS affiliate WTAJ-TV reported. As he was led from the courtroom, Giles said he wanted people to know he is innocent. Defense lawyer Timothy Burns, who had cited his client's report of mental health issues, called the outcome “disappointing” and said the defense would explore its options.
On Friday, authorities searched Giles' former residence in the city's Kernville section after a report of a possible body. Coroner Jeffrey Lees confirmed that human remains were found in the basement, calling the death “highly suspicious” and promising a long and methodical investigation.
Lees said after the autopsy Saturday that the remains would be taken Monday to Mercyhurst University in Erie for further forensic investigation and, after receiving those results and other information, he would make a decision on the cause and manner of death. death. Identifying the remains would be a priority, he said.
Authorities have said Jilly Todaro, Giles' girlfriend after his wife disappeared, also lived in the apartment and disappeared in December 2020. Todaro remains missing and officials will not confirm if the search is related to this case, in which there are no charges. been archived
Burns, who represented Giles in the trial in the death of Nancy Giles, declined to comment Sunday about the discovery of the remains.
During closing arguments during the murder trial, prosecutors argued that Brian Giles verbally abused Nancy Giles and would not allow her to have a cell phone, WTAJ reported.
“He (Giles) disposed of her (Nancy's) body with the same degradation that he showed years before for her,” Cambria County Assistant District Attorney Jessica Aurandt said. “Giles had the motive, the opportunity and the stories ready.”
Aurandt also argued that there was no forensic evidence of the crime because Brian Giles made sure there would be none. He also allegedly misled police and removed missing persons posters, Aurandt said.
