Police Find Remains of Missing Ex-Girlfriend 1 Day After Murderer's Conviction for Killing Wife

Human remains found on the former property of a Pennsylvania man convicted of murdering his wife have now been identified as his missing ex-girlfriend, who disappeared in 2020. 

The remains found in the basement of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, home belong to Jilly Todaro, 43, Cambria County Coroner Jeff Lees announced last week, according to The Associated Press.

Officials categorized her death as “homicidal violence” but did not disclose any further details about the cause of death, the AP reported.

Cambria County District Attorney Greg Neugebauer said he expects to file charges in connection with Todaro’s death, per the AP and The Tribune Democrat. He indicated there was only "one" suspect in the case — Brian Giles.

Giles, 48, was convicted on June 6 of first-degree murder in the killing of his wife, Nancy Giles, whose own remains were recovered months after she went missing in 2018, WJAC, WTAJ and The Tribune Democrat previously reported. 

On June 7, one day after Brian's conviction in his wife's death, investigators searched a residence where he previously lived and recovered remains which were initially unidentified, Cambria County authorities said, according to the AP.

Prosecutors did not immediately respond to a request for comment from PEOPLE.

Giles' lawyer tells PEOPLE if there are murder charges against him in connection with Todaro's death, they will consider the option of an insanity plea.

"Throughout these proceedings, [Giles] has maintained his innocence regarding both women," Tim Burns, a court-appointed attorney, said on Wednesday, June 19.

The series of incidents surrounding Nancy and Todaro’s killings began with Nancy’s disappearance in 2018, with her remains eventually being found in May 2019 in a shallow grave, according to The Tribune Democrat, WJAC and The Daily American.

Separately, both Todaro and Brian were accused of assaulting each other shortly before Todaro vanished in December 2020. 

In May 2022, Brian was charged with murder in connection with Nancy’s death, three years after her remains were found, WJAC and The Tribune Democrat reported. 

He was convicted of killing her in a trial that ended earlier this month, though the defense unsuccessfully argued no physical evidence tied him to the crime.

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Police were prompted to search the residence where Todaro was found after a deputy said Brian was heard saying something "concerning" at his conviction, per WTAJ.

Neugebauer, the district attorney, also explained to reporters last week that authorities had received, for the first time, “very specific information relative to where a body would be located," according to the AP.

He said law enforcement had thought the remains discovered would be Todaro’s and that the way in which she was found made their case “significantly stronger.” 

Lees, the coroner, said that Todaro's family could now "start the healing and grieving process."

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.