BOISE, Idaho — A Boise woman was sentenced to life in prison on Friday in the 2018 murder of 64-year-old David C. Vargas.
Kimberly Swa, 42, was sentenced on Aug. 30 after she plead guilty to second-degree murder, according to the Ada County Prosecuting Office. The state recommended a fixed life sentence, but she will be eligible for parole after serving 27 years.
“This was a senseless and gruesome murder. On behalf of my office, I extend our sincere condolences to Mr. Vargas’ family for their tragic loss and thank them for their patience and strength during this long court process,” said Ada County Prosecutor Jan Bennetts. “I also want to thank my trial team and the Boise Police Detectives for their hard work on this case.”
As previously reported, in April 2018, Vargas was found dead in the Civic Plaza Apartments and had been stabbed multiple times in the head, neck, chest and stomach. Police spoke with witnesses, and officers identified the suspect as Swa.
According to Friday's news release, an autopsy found the victim was found with 36 distinct wounds.
"After the murder, Ms. Swa cleaned up parts of the scene, bathed, and slept at the apartment before leaving the victim’s residence the next morning," the office stated in a new release.
Swa was facing first-degree murder charges in June of 2018, as previously reported. Swa's defense attorney, Nicole Owens, previously told a judge the suspect has grappled with serious mental illness for more than a decade. An evaluator who examined Swa after the murder charge was filed agreed, concluding that Swa was not mentally fit to stand trial in the case.
Idaho law does not allow for the so-called "insanity defense" but does mandate that a defendant be able to understand the court proceedings and assist their lawyers in their own defense.
Court records show after years of moving through the court system, she had numerous mental health assessments and health and welfare reports.