LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A southern Indiana man charged with killing and mutilating a Clarksville woman could spend more than 50 years in prison.

Brian Williams pleaded guilty in Clark County Court on Monday to one count of murder for the death of Melody Gambetty, 67.

Gambetty's body was found by firefighters responding to a fire in her apartment on July 26, 2021, the day after police said she was killed. She had been decapitated and other parts had been removed. Police also said there were signs she was stabbed. Those body parts were later found in a suitcase at Williams' home, according to police.

Investigators believe Williams returned to Gambetty’s apartment a day after her death and started a fire to cover up evidence.

Police don't believe Williams knew Gambetty, and think the brutal attack may have happened after a burglary gone wrong or a home invasion.

According to a Probable Cause Affidavit, investigators said surveillance footage showed Williams entering Gambetty's apartment complex and leaving after several hours holding two suitcases, which he put in the victim's vehicle.

After getting a search warrant for Williams' home, investigators said they found enough evidence to charge him with murder, including suitcases with body parts, Gambetty's car and credit cards.

The affidavit said "located inside one of the victim's suitcases was a human cranium, with full facial tissue to include hair attached," believed to belong to the victim (deceased)." It also says, "in a suitcase was a plastic container with a lid, containing multiple human digits (fingers and toes), also believed to belong to the victim (deceased)." Investigators say they also found a small handsaw with blood on the blade in one of the suitcases. 

Williams was charged with murder and arson. But Monday's plea agreement only convicted him on the murder charge.

He's now facing a maximum sentence of 55 years. A judge will ultimately make the decision during Williams' sentencing hearing, which was set for Dec. 11. The judge also ordered a pre-sentence investigation. 

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