Battaglia was found stabbed to death earlier this week in Logan Square.
[Ads /]
Silva, who is identified by Battaglia's family as her boyfriend, is facing one felony count of concealing a homicide as well as a misdemeanor for obstructing an officer. Silva has not been charged with Battaglia's murder.
Battaglia's body was found stuffed into a duffle bag on Sunday when detectives searched Silva's home, prosecutors said. Trace amounts of suspected blood were found in the apartment, as well as on a machete that Silva had in his possession, they said.
Silva, 34, has a lengthy criminal record and is also a registered sex offender.
Quamieshia Greathouse, Battaglia's roommate and best friend, said Battaglia told her she was going to her boyfriend's home to cook him dinner on Friday night. AJ Battaglia, Brittany Battaglia's brother, said that night, her phone location was turned off, and no one could reach her after that.
Greathouse said Battaglia and Silva had been dating for more than a year, and was planning to attend to a party later that night, prosecutors said.
Battaglia never arrived at the party and her roommate grew concerned when she did not hear from Battaglia again.
"I specifically waited to see if she would come home and pack for her trip, because that's something she definitely wouldn't miss. And, when I realized she was not going to make it in time for that flight. I knew immediately that something was horribly wrong," Greathouse said. "I've definitely warned her about this person, but Brittany's nature is to see the good in everybody."
SEE ALSO: Police descend on Logan Square home in search for missing Chicago woman Brittany Battaglia
Battaglia's body was later found on Monday with stab wounds in a Logan Square apartment, a block away from her home.
[Ads /]
On Sunday, detectives monitoring the area saw Silva drive off in a car and conducted a traffic stop, prosecutors said.
Silva got out of the car with a red and black backpack and walked back to his apartment with detectives, where a large duffle bag was discovered in his bedroom, prosecutors said.
The detectives declared the apartment a suspected crime scene and Silva was told to stay outside the apartment, according to prosecutors, who said he was taken into custody when he allegedly tried to get back inside through a rear interior stairway.
Two cellphones, two small pocket knives and an ice pick were found on him during a search, prosecutors said.
After a search warrant was obtained, detectives entered the apartment and found Battaglia's body, as well as a tarp and garbage bags laid out in the kitchen, cleaning supplies and a paint suit, prosecutors said.
A note discovered in the apartment read, "Can you ask average time until smell," according to prosecutors.
The machete that tested positive for blood was found in Silva's backpack and a second machete was found in his car, according to prosecutors, who argued that as a convicted felon Silva wasn't allowed to possess a machete.
Silva's felony conviction stems from a 2009 case in which he pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal sexual abuse that was reduced from attempted murder and aggravated criminal sexual assault charges, according to the state's attorney's office. Silva was also required to register as a sex offender as a result of the conviction.
[Ads /]
AJ Battaglia said his sister "was just a very good person."
"She got along with everybody," he said. "She tries to see the good in everybody, doesn't matter who you are. She had such a diverse friend group, which was really cool to see."
Battaglia was described as a free-spirited woman who loved music and helping others.
"The best parts of her nature were used against her," Greathouse said. "I was trying to keep hope. She meant everything to me."
Prosecutors have not ruled out more charges being filed against Silva in Battaglia's death. He is next due in court on June 20.
The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.
INTERACTIVE SAFETY TRACKER | Track crime and safety in your neighborhood