Grieving Redmond father seeks answers in son’s death

So far, Redmond police are keeping quiet on the details in the death of a man whose body was found in a burned-out car. But the father of 21-year-old Sam Villa tearfully talked about his son Monday — and said he believes it’s murder.

“He didn’t deserve to die like that, and I think the people who did it are very coward about it,” said Louie Villa Monday morning.

Police confirmed Monday afternoon that the body found Friday night in a car on Northwest 21st Street is that of Villa, but wouldn’t comment yet on how he was found or if his death was considered suspicious, an accident or intentional.

“We treat all death investigations as open investigations,” said Detective Sgt. Jesse Petersen. “We would like to find out why Sam Villa died in the vehicle, and how he died.”

Louie Villa said he believed his son’s death was not a suicide, nor an accident. He said the blow has left the family heartbroken and his toddler granddaughter confused.

“His daughter was over here yesterday (Sunday) asking where her dad was,” Villa said. “It’s tough. They didn’t have to take my son’s life and take my granddaughter’s dad away.”

The car was still on fire when police and firefighters responded to the scene. Petersen said area neighbors did not recognize the car.

Louie Villa said his son, a Redmond High graduate, had no reason to be there, although the family used to live in that area. He said the car his son was found in belongs to Sam Villa’s brother-in-law.

Nathaniel Aeschliman said he loaned it to Villa so he could run a quick errand, and now regrets the favor that seemed so simple at the time.

“I just pray justice can be found the right way,” Aeschliman said.

Louie Villa said he prays someone will come forward with information that will give his family the answers it needs.

“I hope that anyone who saw something will contact Redmond PD” Villa said. “I just want to know what happened and why it happened to my son.”

Villa said until then, the family will cherish its memories of a man who could put a smile on anyone’s face.

“If you met him, you’d think, ‘This guy is a character.’ He’s funny. He was always telling jokes,” Villa said.

Villa said his son spent the last day of his life with his daughter, playing with her as she experienced her first time in the snow. Sam Villa’s daughter will turn 2 in March.

Redmond police say they are looking for anyone who may have saw something or has any information on the investigation. Tips can be reported to police at 541-504-3400 or contact Deschutes County dispatchers at 541-693-6911.

Petersen said the case is not linked or related to another fatality claiming the life of a Redmond teen, Jamie Garr. The 19-year-old’s body was found in a dry canal Sunday morning in southwest Redmond.