Inside the Airbnb of Horror: How a Birthday Party Became a Crime Scene

What should have been a night of joy, laughter, and celebration turned into a nightmare. Joselyn Toaquiza, a young woman with her whole life ahead of her, was killed by someone she trusted—her childhood friend, Jhon Moises Chacaguasay-Ilbis.

The tragedy unfolded in an Airbnb in Syracuse, New York, where Joselyn had gathered with friends to celebrate her 21st birthday. But instead of ending the night with happy memories, her life was brutally taken by the very person who had planned the celebration.

A Birthday Celebration That Turned Deadly

Joselyn had been looking forward to her 21st birthday. It was a milestone—one that many young people eagerly anticipate. Wanting to make the day special, her longtime friend, Jhon, went out of his way to plan a party. He rented an Airbnb, decorated it, and even personalized wine bottles with messages of affection.

To those around them, it might have seemed like a kind and thoughtful gesture. But beneath the surface, something far darker was brewing.

At some point during the night, after the festivities had wound down, Jhon did something no one could have imagined—he strangled Joselyn to death.

A Family’s Worst Nightmare

When Joselyn’s family couldn’t reach her the next morning, they knew something wasn’t right. Days passed with no sign of her, and their worry turned into sheer panic.

Then, the unthinkable happened.

Four days later, Joselyn’s body was discovered in Lincoln Park, hidden in a shallow grave. Surveillance footage would later reveal the horrifying truth—Jhon had been caught on camera carrying her lifeless body out of the Airbnb and disposing of it in the park.

The very friend who had planned her party was the same person who tried to erase all traces of her.

Who Was Jhon Chacaguasay-Ilbis?

Both Joselyn and Jhon were originally from Ecuador. They had known each other since childhood, and their paths had crossed again in Syracuse after both had moved to the United States.

Jhon had entered the U.S. illegally in early 2023, crossing the southern border in El Paso. Due to overcrowding, he was released shortly after. Joselyn arrived a few months later, seeking a fresh start after escaping an abusive relationship back home.

They found comfort in their shared history. But no one could have predicted that the friend she had trusted the most would ultimately betray her in the worst way imaginable.

The Trial and a Mother’s Grief

After his arrest, Jhon initially denied everything. But in January 2025, he changed his plea to guilty.

At his sentencing, he spoke briefly through an interpreter, saying, “I feel really bad and ashamed… I regret everything.”

But his words meant little to Joselyn’s grieving family. In a heartbreaking letter read in court, her father called Joselyn his “princess,” struggling to put into words the pain of losing his daughter so tragically.

On March 10, 2025, Judge Ted Limpert sentenced Jhon to 23 years to life in prison. Even the judge himself struggled to understand why such a senseless act had occurred.

Why Did He Do It?

Perhaps the most haunting part of this tragedy is the question: why?

What could drive someone to kill a person they had known and cared for since childhood? What happened inside that Airbnb that led to Joselyn’s final moments?

Investigators discovered that after murdering Joselyn, Jhon had used her credit cards for his own personal expenses—including subscriptions to OnlyFans. It was a chilling detail that painted an even darker picture of his actions.

But beyond these shocking revelations, no one may ever truly understand why Jhon did what he did.

A Life Stolen Too Soon

Joselyn was full of life, love, and ambition. She had dreams, just like any other young woman her age. She had survived hardship, moved to a new country, and was building a future for herself.

She should have been celebrating many more birthdays, chasing her dreams, and making new memories. Instead, her life was taken by someone she thought she could trust.

Her story serves as a heartbreaking reminder that sometimes, the people we believe are closest to us are the ones capable of the greatest betrayal.