The remains of a beloved California Army veteran were cruelly tossed off a sidewalk and left in a garden by her murderous tenant, according to newly released court documents.
Police say Brenda Gillette, 56, of San Diego, was murdered and dismembered by her unhinged Chula Vista tenant, Robert Watkins, who later admitted to the disgusting May 31 crime.
The drama unfolded around 2 a.m. on the day Gillette was killed when she called police from the home she had rented to Watkins to report ongoing problems with the tenant, according to court documents.
Gillette told officers that Watkins was covering the security cameras installed in the home, which concerned her, and that she also hosted too many guests there, in violation of the house rules. Police told Gillette they could not assist with the eviction.
At about 3 a.m., Gillette was seen on Ring cameras heading to the back of the house, where she also worked as the property manager, according to court documents. This was the last time she was seen alive.
Gillette’s sister called the police to report her missing sister the next afternoon.
On that day, officers responded to Gillette’s rental home on Corvada Street to conduct a welfare check. There they found Gillette’s car, but were unable to locate Gillette herself.
As concern grew, officers searched the home, finding evidence of blood from inside and outside the home. Officers interviewing Watkins also discovered scratch marks on his body and blood on his shoes.
Prosecutors said police arrested Watkins, who confessed to the crime upon questioning.
The deranged tenant hit Gillette with a hammer, killing her and dismembering her body, according to court documents.
Watkins heartlessly refused to reveal the location of Gillette’s remains unless he was offered a plea deal, according to prosecutors.
Some Gillette remains stuffed into a bag Watkins threw were found dumped in a Paseo del Rey park near the rental property, according to police. Other remains were discovered in the Pacific Ocean near the USS Midway Museum in San Diego Harbor.
Security cameras on a dock near the decommissioned aircraft carrier captured Watkins throwing bags from the dock, court papers said.
Watkins is being held on a murder charge in the San Diego County Jail. His trial was scheduled for Monday afternoon.