RICHMOND, VA- Former University of Richmond basketball star Kassceen Weaver received a 20-year prison sentence for the tragic death of his 3-year-old son, Eliel Adon Weaver. The state circuit court judge convicted Weaver on charges of felony murder, felony child neglect, and concealing a dead body. The incident occurred on October 23, 2018, and Eliel’s remains were discovered in 2021. Weaver will serve sentences for murder, child neglect, and hiding the body simultaneously.
Weaver’s wife, Dina Weaver, initially faced charges related to their son’s death, but these were later dropped due to claims of physical and emotional abuse. In an unsettling turn, authorities found Eliel’s body in a freezer in the family’s garage. Reports indicate that Weaver attempted CPR when his son passed away, but instead of seeking medical help, he concealed the body.
The investigation uncovered a history of domestic violence, shedding light on the complicated dynamics within their family. The details of how the child’s body was concealed, tied up with twine, wrapped in clothing, and placed in a container within a freezer, added an even more distressing layer to the case.
Weaver’s defense team argued that the specific medical emergency Eliel faced that night was unknown, making it uncertain whether calling 911 would have made a difference. At the trial, Weaver’s wife shared the heartbreaking story of the night Eliel died, describing how Weaver chose to hide the body instead of seeking immediate medical help.
Weaver’s silence in court on December 28 was attributed to an upcoming aggravated malicious wounding charge related to his ex-wife, scheduled for trial in March 2024. These tragic events highlight the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the importance of seeking immediate medical care in emergency situations.