In a deeply disturbing case from Texas, David Michael Gibson, 49, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to tampering with evidence involving a human corpse. Authorities say Gibson placed his father’s dead body in a refrigerator, locked it shut with a chain, and left it in the garage of their home in San Antonio.
How the Body Was Found
The case unfolded on August 8, 2024, when deputies from the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office went to the home on Rustic Trail for a welfare check. They were following up on concerns from family members who hadn’t seen or heard from Daniel Gibson, David’s father, in months.
When a man at the home claimed to be Daniel Gibson, deputies became suspicious. His voice didn’t match what the family knew. Later, relatives confirmed through a Ring camera voice that it was not their father.
After gaining access to the house, deputies searched the garage and found a refrigerator that looked chained shut. When they opened it, they discovered a badly decomposed human body inside.
Family’s Shocking Discovery
According to local news station KENS, some family members saw a human head inside the refrigerator when it was first opened. They slammed the door shut immediately. Deputies then cleared the house and set up a crime scene.
An autopsy was unable to determine the exact cause or manner of death due to the level of decomposition.
What David Gibson Did After the Death
Investigators believe that David had been living with the body for several months. During this time, he allegedly continued cashing his father’s Social Security and military pension checks. The victim also hadn’t picked up his regular prescriptions in a long time, raising more concerns.
Family Confronts Gibson in Court
During sentencing, the family expressed their pain and anger. David’s brother, Matthew Gibson, made a powerful statement in court:
“To disrespect him by placing him in a freezer and not telling anybody — you have no family anymore. You are on your own.”
The courtroom was filled with grief, disappointment, and disbelief over how the situation was handled.
Sentence and Parole
David Gibson received a 10-year prison sentence. Under Texas law, he must serve at least 5 years before becoming eligible for parole.
This tragic case reveals not only a horrifying way of hiding a death but also the deep emotional damage it caused to a family. While the exact cause of Daniel Gibson’s death remains unknown, the act of locking his body in a refrigerator and hiding it from authorities added another layer of pain. With David now serving time in prison, the family hopes to find some form of closure — though the emotional wounds are likely to remain for a long time.
