Authorities in Texas have charged 32-year-old Abigail Molina with murder and multiple related offenses following the death of her boyfriend, 64-year-old Gilbert Parker, whose injuries investigators say were inflicted during a violent assault involving a hammer. The case, centered in China Grove near San Antonio, has drawn attention because of the extent of the alleged violence, the volume of forensic evidence described in court records, and the sequence of actions investigators say occurred in the days before and after Parker’s death.
According to affidavits filed by law enforcement, Parker was discovered severely injured near a church where he had been living, and subsequent investigation connected Abigail Molina to the crime through physical evidence, witness accounts, and her own statements. Prosecutors allege the assault was followed by efforts to conceal evidence, dispose of property, and profit from Parker’s belongings, all of which now form the basis of additional criminal charges.
Discovery of Gilbert Parker and Medical Findings
Gilbert Parker was found on January 18 near the Old Path Baptist Church in China Grove, lying unconscious in a nearby tool shed where investigators believe he had been residing. According to an affidavit, Parker was partially naked and covered in what appeared to be dried blood. Responding officers noted that he was unable to speak coherently when questioned, instead shouting profanities while drifting in and out of consciousness.
His condition prompted immediate medical attention, and he was transported to a hospital in San Antonio. At the scene, investigators documented multiple bloodstains inside the tool shed, described as droplets and pools, suggesting significant bleeding had occurred there. Presumptive blood stains were also observed on two recliners positioned at the back of the shed, further indicating the location may have been the site of an extended assault or that Parker had remained there while bleeding. Parker’s injuries proved to be severe.
After his initial hospitalization, his condition worsened, necessitating transfer to another medical facility. He died on January 20, two days after being found. An autopsy later revealed that Parker suffered multiple lacerations to his head, including at least one wound that fractured his skull and caused internal bleeding within the brain.
Read : 200 Crocodiles Crawl into Cities as Heavy Rains Hit Northern Mexico
Investigators concluded that the injuries were consistent with blows from a blunt object, possibly a tool such as the claw end of a hammer or a similar gardening implement. The nature and severity of the wounds indicated repeated impacts rather than a single strike, a factor prosecutors say is significant in evaluating intent and the circumstances surrounding Parker’s death.
Investigation, Evidence, and Alleged Attempts to Conceal the Crime
As the investigation unfolded, authorities began to focus on Abigail Molina, who had been in a relationship with Parker. According to court documents, Molina contacted the China Grove Police Department on January 19, stating that she had nothing to hide and asserting that she had acted in self-defense during an altercation that left Parker hospitalized. Despite this claim, investigators say her account was vague and inconsistent, prompting further scrutiny.
During the early stages of the investigation, it was discovered that Parker’s personal property was missing. His cell phone, wallet, and 2002 Dodge Dakota pickup truck could not be located. Investigators noted that Parker had been living out of the shed near the church and kept most of his possessions in his truck, making the disappearance of the vehicle particularly significant.
Read : Cynthia Elaine Hernandez Arrested After Lying for Boyfriend Who Beat Her Autistic Son
Complicating matters further, church parishioners reportedly went to the scene after Parker was found and discarded items believed to be drug-related while also cleaning areas that may have contained blood evidence. A subsequent search of the property and trash yielded drugs, paraphernalia, bloody clothing, bloody eyeglasses, a small paver stone with blood and DNA, and the pants Parker was wearing on the day of the incident.
Investigators interviewed Abigail Molina, who reportedly displayed signs of nervousness and deception. She initially denied ever having been to Parker’s residence multiple times, but later altered her statement after a hair sample and buccal swab were collected. Molina then claimed she had only been to the shed once and had slept there. This assertion was contradicted by receipts and witness testimony indicating she had purchased a vape product on January 13 that was later found at the crime scene. Hair fibers matching Molina were also recovered from the shed, further undermining her statements.
Witnesses from a local smoke shop provided additional context. They reported that Molina and Parker had engaged in a verbal and physical altercation at the shop on January 13. Employees described Abigail Molina as a regular customer who stopped coming in after that incident. Molina herself acknowledged an altercation at the smoke shop but refused to discuss details, telling investigators she left after throwing Parker’s truck keys into traffic and gathering her belongings.
Law enforcement also traced Parker’s missing vehicle. On January 20, a license plate reader system flagged the Dodge pickup near FM 1518 and Lower Seguin Road, approximately 1.3 miles from the home of a close friend of Abigail Molina’s whom she had previously visited and stayed with.
Investigators allege that Molina attempted to alter the truck’s appearance by spray painting and sanding it, then took it to a car wash to remove blood from the interior. According to affidavits, she later drove the truck to Houston, where she sold it to a “Cars for Cash” business for $300, after contacting multiple junk and scrap dealers in an effort to obtain more money. A witness at “I Buy Junk Vehicles” confirmed the sale and described Molina’s behavior as suspicious.
Statements from Witnesses and Charges Filed
The case against Molina expanded as additional witnesses came forward. On February 1, a homicide detective with the San Antonio Police Department received a call from a woman identified as a cousin of Molina’s ex-boyfriend. She reportedly shared details about Parker’s death that had not been made public, stating she had heard them from her cousin, who in turn said Molina had disclosed the information. This account raised concerns that Molina had provided incriminating details to people outside law enforcement.
Investigators also received an anonymous tip regarding the weapon allegedly used in the assault. The caller indicated that the weapon had been dumped near a stormwater drainage culvert close to Molina’s residence in San Antonio. Acting on this information, officers searched the area and recovered a construction hammer near Molina’s front driveway. The hammer reportedly had a rusted top, one missing claw, and presumptive blood on both the handle and the metal head.
Investigators noted that the size and shape of the remaining claw were consistent with the wound found on Parker’s skull during the autopsy. Further testimony came from Molina’s ex-boyfriend, who told investigators that Molina described being struck by Parker, blacking out, and then hitting him repeatedly with a hammer. According to his statement, Molina said Parker cried and asked for help after the assault.
Despite this, she allegedly took his truck, attempted to alter and clean it, and later sold it. The ex-boyfriend also reported that Abigail Molina admitted to washing blood from her clothing and removing Parker’s belongings from her home after learning of his death. Those items were reportedly placed in a white bag and included Parker’s cell phone, wallet, and tools belonging to both Parker and the church.
Based on the accumulated evidence, Molina was arrested and charged with murder, property theft, and tampering or fabricating physical evidence with intent to impair an investigation. Prosecutors argue that the totality of the evidence, including forensic findings, witness statements, recovered property, and Molina’s own alleged admissions, supports the charges. Molina’s claim of self-defense remains a central issue that will likely be examined as the case proceeds through the court system.
As of now, the allegations outlined in affidavits represent the state’s case, and Molina is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation has highlighted the complex interplay between forensic evidence, witness cooperation, and post-incident behavior in building a homicide case. Further proceedings are expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding Parker’s death and determine Molina’s legal responsibility under Texas law.