Mixed verdict in brutal 2021 homicide case
An Edmonton judge has delivered a split verdict in a gruesome drug trade-related case, acquitting Bith Gattang Chuol of manslaughter while finding him guilty of extorting the victim before her death. Court of King's Bench Justice Bob Aloneissi ruled on November 25, 2025, that while suspicion about Chuol's involvement in Vanessa Silva's killing may be "well placed," the evidence didn't support convictions for the more serious charges.
The tragic discovery and investigation
Vanessa Silva, 29, was found dead in the trunk of her burned Jeep on September 15, 2021, in a rural area outside Sherwood Park. The vehicle had been set on fire, and her remains were so badly damaged that identification required dental records. Her exact cause of death—and who ultimately killed her—has never been determined.
Police searching Silva's home near 18 Avenue and 119 Street SW the following day discovered a scene of chaos. The front door had been kicked in, Silva's dog was locked in a bathroom, cabinets and drawers were thrown open, and photos of her loved ones were deliberately laid out on the basement floor. Neighbors reported hearing screaming just after midnight the previous morning.
Digital evidence breaks the case
The investigation took a critical turn when children spotted Silva's phone in the North Saskatchewan River near Rundle Park. Remarkably, the device still functioned and revealed it had been within one kilometer of Cordell Kennedy's home on the night of the break-in. Kennedy—who Silva didn't know—was later connected to the crime scene through fingerprints found on her closet door.
Additional evidence from Kennedy's home included shoes whose soles matched muddy prints in Silva's residence. His phone contained videos taken inside Silva's home, and GPS data from his vehicle placed it near both Silva's residence and Rundle Park around the time of the crime.
Kennedy was charged with first-degree murder in 2022 but pleaded guilty to manslaughter last year, receiving a 10-year prison sentence. He admitted to being paid for his involvement in the attack on Silva, though he didn't identify who hired him or admit to personally killing her.
Chuol's role and conviction
Chuol, 27, was arrested in Calgary in 2024 after police issued a warning that he could be armed and dangerous. He faced charges of first-degree murder but ultimately went to trial for manslaughter, break and enter, and kidnapping—all of which resulted in acquittals.
Justice Aloneissi found Chuol guilty only of extortion, concluding he was involved in "extracting" information from Silva before her death. While no specific motive was presented during Chuol's trial, the judge noted that both accused men and the victim were involved in the drug trade.
The mixed verdict highlights the complexities of prosecuting drug trade-related violence, where multiple participants may have different levels of involvement in the events leading to a victim's death.
