A chilling cold case has resurfaced in California as Trista Ann Spicer prepares to stand trial for the gruesome 2014 murder of her boyfriend, Eric Israel Mercado. The case, which had remained unsolved for nearly a decade, took a dramatic turn in 2022 when Mercado’s remains were discovered in what police described as a “makeshift tomb” at Spicer’s residence.
During a preliminary hearing in San Bernardino court, previously unknown details of the alleged murder came to light through testimony from Spicer’s former roommate, Waylan Gentry. Gentry, who lived with Spicer since 2019, claimed she had confided in him about the need to “get rid” of her boyfriend, revealing that Mercado was “buried under the stairs.”
According to Gentry’s testimony, Spicer allegedly told him she had killed Mercado by striking him with a frying pan while he slept and then slitting his throat with a box cutter. San Bernardino Police Detective Tiffany Montez corroborated the brutal nature of the attack, testifying that Mercado’s eye socket appeared “obliterated” and that the head injuries would have been fatal “within seconds.”
The case broke open in August 2022 when police, acting on information about possible human remains, executed a search warrant at Spicer’s property. Investigators discovered what they termed a “makeshift tomb,” which one officer described as a room approximately “3 feet deep, 8 feet wide and 6 feet high,” containing Mercado’s remains.
Despite the shocking nature of the allegations, prosecutors have yet to present physical evidence linking Spicer to the crime. Spicer has entered a not guilty plea, maintaining her innocence in the face of the charges.
This case has captivated public attention, not only for its gruesome details but also for the long period during which Mercado’s disappearance remained unsolved. It raises questions about cold case investigations and the circumstances that can lead to such tragic outcomes remaining hidden for years.
As the legal proceedings continue, with Spicer’s next court appearance scheduled for July 12, the case serves as a somber reminder of the enduring impact of unsolved crimes on families and communities. It also highlights the persistent efforts of law enforcement to bring closure to long-standing cases, even when leads seem to have run cold.
Credit: Toofab
