Chicago, Illinois, 1977 – The night was cold, and smoke curled up from an apartment high above the city’s Edgewater neighborhood. Firefighters rushed inside the building to discover a horrifying scene: the lifeless body of Teresita Basa, partially burned, with a butcher knife buried in her chest.

On the surface, it appeared to be a crime of opportunity. A robbery, perhaps? But the trail went cold almost immediately. Police had no witnesses, no suspects, and no clear motive. For months, it seemed the truth behind Teresita’s murder was lost to a fiery blaze.

Until she spoke again…

The Quiet Life of Teresita Basa

Teresita Basa, born in the Philippines in 1929, was a gifted musician, a dedicated worker, and a loving friend. After immigrating to the United States as a young woman, she made Chicago her home. There, she nurtured her passion for music, studying piano and even teaching neighborhood children for free. Later, Teresita turned her talents toward healthcare and built a respected career as a respiratory therapist at Edgewater Hospital.

Interesting Note: Edgewater Hospital is known for two different claims to fame. It was the birthplace of Hillary Rodham Clinton… and serial killer, John Wayne Gacy.

Teresita led an unassuming life. She was kind, studious, and focused on her career and music. No one could imagine why anyone would want to harm her. This led to a stark dead end in her case.

A Voice Beyond the Grave

Months after Teresita’s death, one of her coworkers at Edgewater, Remibias “Remy” Chua, began suffering from vivid nightmares. Like Teresita, Remy was a respiratory therapist, and her husband, Dr. Jose “Joe” Chua, worked at the same hospital as a surgeon.

According to Dr. Chua, Remy would fall into strange trances during sleep. Her voice would become unrecognizable, her words urgent and pleading. During one of these episodes, Remy claimed she was Teresita Basa and that she had been murdered by Allan Showery, another hospital employee. The “voice” insisted that Showery had murdered her, stolen her jewelry, and set her apartment on fire to cover the crime.

At first, Dr. Chua tried to dismiss it. He was a man of science, not superstition. But the Teresitas messages became more frequent and forceful, begging him to go to the police. Finally, he did.

The Investigation Reignites

Detectives were skeptical (and understandably so). But the details shared about the murder were too specific and intriguing to ignore. They questioned Allan Showery, who claimed he hadn’t seen Teresita that night. But when they followed up on the jewelry, they discovered several of the stolen items in Showery’s girlfriend’s possession.

This physical evidence cracked open the case. Showery’s story began to unravel, and within weeks, he confessed to the murder. He admitted to going to Teresita’s apartment under the pretense of fixing her television. He fatally attacked her, stole cash and jewelry from the scene, then set a fire to destroy the evidence.

Justice Through Unlikely Means

In 1979, Allan Showery pleaded guilty to the murder, robbery, and arson of Teresita Basa. He received a 14-year prison sentence for his crimes.

What’s remarkable is not only that the case was solved, but how. Without the startling testimony of Remy and Dr. Chua, the evidence might never have been uncovered. Even seasoned investigators later admitted they couldn’t explain the turn of events that led to the arrest.

Was it intuition or subconscious knowledge? Possibly. Remy had worked closely with Teresita and Allan. Perhaps her unconscious mind picked up on the clues Showery left behind.

Or was it something else? Something truly otherworldly: A murdered woman refusing to be silenced.

A Case That Still Haunts

Decades later, Teresita’s “Voice from the Grave” case remains one of the strangest in American legal history. It inspired documentaries, an Unsolved Mysteries episode, and even a TV movie dramatization. But beyond the paranormal mystery lies a sobering truth: Justice was served… in the most unlikely of ways.