Bolivian mother stabbed and burned alive in her Virginia home

Fairfax, Virginia is seeking answers and help for the family of Silvia "Kelly" Vaca Abacay, a young mother born in Bolivia and a Fairfax County resident who lost her life after being stabbed and burned alive.

The terrible events occurred last Wednesday, August 10, at The Villages at Falls Church housing unit, located in the 2900 block of Willston Place.

Police responded to a call at around 3:05 p.m. local time phoned in by neighbors who heard a violent argument between a man and a woman who was screaming for help from her home, according to local station  WUSA-9.

When the police arrived at the scene they could see smoke coming out of the windows of the house, inside they found the 40-year-old woman ensconced in flames and with multiple wounds on her body.

Attempts to save the mother of two children - aged 14 and 17, and residents of Bolivia, sources told FOX-5 - were futile and at the scene she was pronounced dead as confirmed last Thursday by Ed O'Carroll, chief of police in Fairfax County.

"They did everything they could," stated the official who also indicated that one officer suffered smoke inhalation.

UPDATE: @FairfaxCountyPD just identified the victim burned, killed in Falls Church as 40 y/o Silvia “Kelly” Vaca Abacay. The person of interest in custody yesterday was arrested for 2nd degree murder, burglary with intent to commit murder and burning of occupied dwelling. @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/vTfBzGc0Th

— Matthew Torres (@News_MTorres) August 11, 2022

Abacay had lived in Virginia for years and was considered a great friend and a loving mother, according to her neighbors.

"I was in shock," Yerin Romero, a friend of the victim, told FOX-5. "I just couldn't believe it. The person who did this is a friend of ours. We've known him for a long time. It's just shocking."

Police investigations determined that the case may have stemmed from a domestic dispute. The day after the tragedy, police confirmed the arrest of the main suspect: Arlington resident Richard Montano, 47.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help the family of Silvia "Kelly" Vaca Abacay send her remains to her native Bolivia, where her 14-year-old daughter and 17-year-old son reside.

Police believe that the subject forced his way into the victim's home before assaulting her and setting her on fire. He subsequently returned to his home where he was arrested without incident.

Heartbreaking scene outside the Falls Church apartment where a woman died after she was set on fire yesterday. Friends tell me the woman was a loving mother and kind. Still waiting to get an update from @FairfaxCountyPD. @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/aGqlo3XisK

— Matthew Torres (@News_MTorres) August 11, 2022

Montano remains in a Fairfax jail cell without bail. According to both sources, the suspect is charged with second-degree murder, robbery with intent to commit murder and arson of an inhabited dwelling.

According to Fairfax Police, the suspect and the victim knew each other, but were apparently not close, and there is no evidence that they had a close relationship. The subject did not live with the deceased.