Human remains have been found in the former home of a man convicted last week of murdering his wife, authorities in Pennsylvania said.
The (Johnstown) Tribune-Democrat reports that 48-year-old Brian Giles lived in an apartment in the Johnstown home with Nancy Giles before she went missing in October 2018. Her remains were found in May 2019 in a shallow grave near a trail on Sloping Flat Hill in downtown Johnstown.
Jurors in Cambria County 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 out of the courtroom, Giles said he wanted people to know he is innocent. Defense attorney Timothy Burns, who 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 home in the city’s Kernville neighborhood after a report of a possible body. Coroner Jeffrey Lees confirmed that human remains had been found in the basement, calling the death “highly suspicious” and promising a lengthy and methodical investigation.
Lees said Saturday after an autopsy that the remains would be taken to Mercyhurst University in Erie on Monday for further forensic examination, and after receiving those results and other information he would rule on the cause and manner of death. Identification of the remains would be a top priority, he said.
Authorities have said Jilly Todaro, Giles’ girlfriend after his wife’s disappearance, also lived in the apartment and disappeared in December 2020. Todaro remains missing and officials would not confirm whether the search is related to that case, in which no charges have been filed. submitted.
Burns, who represented Giles in the trial over Nancy Giles’ death, declined comment Sunday on the discovery of the remains.
During closing arguments at the murder trial, prosecutors argued that Brian Giles verbally abused Nancy Giles and did not allow her to have a cell phone, WTAJ reported.
“He (Giles) disposed of her (Nancy) body with the same degradation he displayed for her in the years prior,” 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 ensured there would not be. He also allegedly misled police and removed missing persons posters, Aurandt said.
