A Southern California woman received a 15-year prison sentence after concealing her boyfriend’s murder for nearly eight years, hiding his body in a makeshift tomb beneath a staircase until her new boyfriend discovered the crime and contacted authorities.
Discovery Ends Eight-Year Cover-Up
San Bernardino police discovered the remains of Eric Israel Mercado, 42, on August 23, 2022, after receiving a tip about human remains at a residence on East Davidson Street. Officers found what they described as a makeshift tomb under the staircase where Mercado’s body had been concealed. His girlfriend at the time, Trista Spicer, then 43, was arrested and charged with murder. Mercado’s family had reported him missing back in 2014, but the case remained cold until Spicer’s new boyfriend came forward with shocking information.
Confession Leads to Arrest
Waylan Gentry, Spicer’s new boyfriend, testified during the trial that Spicer admitted to killing Mercado. According to Gentry’s testimony, Spicer told him she struck Mercado with a frying pan and cut his throat with a box cutter while he slept on a love seat. Gentry initially doubted the confession, but after his mother urged him to contact police, he reported the information to authorities. Spicer had mentioned needing to dispose of her boyfriend before moving to Illinois with Gentry, later revealing she had buried him under the stairs.
Self-Defense Claim in Court
During testimony, Spicer claimed she acted in self-defense after years of abuse. She testified that Mercado became enraged over the beans and meat she prepared for dinner, threw the food at her, and ordered her to sit naked on the couch. When he demanded coffee, she grabbed a skillet instead and attacked him. Three former friends of Mercado testified they believed he was violent and often avoided him. Despite this defense, jurors convicted Spicer of second-degree murder in November.
What This Means
The case highlights how domestic violence claims intersect with criminal justice proceedings. While Spicer’s defense team presented evidence of Mercado’s alleged violent behavior, prosecutors successfully argued the killing went beyond justifiable self-defense. Spicer received her 15-year sentence on Friday and her attorneys have filed an appeal. The lengthy concealment of the crime complicated the investigation, though Gentry’s decision to contact authorities ultimately brought closure to Mercado’s family after eight years of uncertainty about his disappearance.