A man has been condemned to death following the discovery of his girlfriend’s body buried beneath his residence. Marissa Grimes, aged 26, vanished after visiting her abusive partner Valerian ‘Will’ O’Steen, 28, with intentions of leaving him. O’Steen’s aggression culminated in a heinous act resulting in Marissa’s death. Subsequently, he concealed her remains and continued living in the same house.
Upon finding Marissa’s abandoned vehicle close to O’Steen’s property, authorities conducted a search that led to the recovery of her decomposed body ten days later. The couple had a history of a tumultuous relationship, with O’Steen displaying abusive behavior towards Marissa, a mother of three children. Prosecutors argued that O’Steen had both the motive and opportunity to commit the murder.
According to People Magazine, before her demise in February 2022, the Texan man had issued death threats and prevented Marissa from leaving his residence. Despite her efforts to seek help, O’Steen was arrested for domestic violence, fitted with a GPS monitor, and ordered to stay away from her.
Allegedly angered by the restrictions, O’Steen expressed a desire to eliminate the monitoring device, voicing intentions to harm Grimes. Despite efforts to relocate to West Texas, interaction between Grimes and O’Steen continued. Tragically, their last meeting ended in a fatal altercation, leading to Marissa’s disappearance.
Following the discovery of Marissa’s truck near O’Steen’s property, a subsequent search unveiled her body wrapped in a blanket and tarpaulin concealed beneath the house. Autopsy findings revealed severe injuries indicating torture and fatal trauma.
During the trial, O’Steen denied the allegations but was convicted of murder on September 22, 2025. The death penalty was sought by the Tarrant County District Attorney after the jury’s decision. In response to the verdict, Grimes’ father expressed his grief over the loss and condemned O’Steen for his actions.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, support and guidance can be obtained from the National Domestic Abuse Helpline at 0800 2000 247.
