Killing of Jorge Torres
On February 24, 2020, Jorge Torres Jr., a 42-year-old American man was killed in Winter Park, Florida when he was shoved inside a suitcase at his home. Torres suffocated to death after his girlfriend, then-42-year-old Sarah Boone allegedly forced him into the suitcase. Following Torres's death, Boone was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.
| Killing of Jorge Torres | |
|---|---|
| Location | Winter Park, Florida, U.S. |
| Date | February 24, 2020 c. 11:00 p.m. (EST) |
Attack type | Homicide by suffocation |
| Weapon | Suitcase |
| Victim | Jorge Torres Jr., aged 42 |
| Accused | Sarah Boone |
| Charges | Second-degree murder |
Boone recorded Torres's pleads for her to open the suitcase and let him free while laughing and mocking his cries for help. The case has gained significant attention due to the unusual circumstances of the killing, as well as the notoriety of her interrogation with police.
Background
Prior to the killing of Jorge Torres, both he and his girlfriend Sarah Boone had been arrested multiple times for alleged instances of domestic violence against each other. Boone had been arrested for alleged battery by strangulation against Torres in July 2018, and Torres had been arrested three times for alleged battery against Boone, in which Boone had bailed Torres out of jail every time.[1]
Death and initial investigation
On February 25, 2020, at around 1:00 p.m., Sarah Boone had called 9-1-1 and told them that her boyfriend, Jorge Torres was dead. Boone claimed that she and Torres had a single glass of wine and then decided to play hide-and-seek. She claimed that they thought it would be funny to put him in the suitcase, and that they were both laughing. She stated that she then went upstairs and accidentally fell asleep, leaving Torres in the suitcase.[2] Torres's death was ruled a homicide.[3]
Boone had recorded Torres suffocating inside the suitcase, mocking and laughing at him as he pleaded for his life, continuously telling Boone he could not breathe. She is heard saying, "For everything you've done to me, fuck you! Stupid," and saying to Torres as he called out her name, "That's my name, don't wear it out!"[3][4][5]
Boone's interrogation was considered particularly notable due to the fact that investigators confronted her in person with the footage she had recorded.[6]
Legal proceedings
Boone was subsequently charged with second-degree murder for killing Torres. Held in Orange County jail without bail, she has written letters to the trial judge stating that she has not been represented fairly. She is expected to use the battered woman defense at her trial, which is scheduled to begin no earlier than July 24, 2023.[7][8][9]
References
- "Sarah Boone case: What to know about Winter Park woman facing murder charge after boyfriend dies in suitcase". FOX 35 Orlando. 2022-10-18. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
- "Florida woman charged after boyfriend dies in suitcase". Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. 2023-03-13. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
- Dobrzyn, Erin (2020-05-27). "Report: Man died of asphyxiation after girlfriend locked him in suitcase for 'up to 11 hours'". WKMG. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
- Laviola, Erin (2020-02-26). "Sarah Boone: Florida Woman Left Boyfriend to Die in Suitcase, Cops Say". Heavy.com. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
- "Sarah Boone case: Attorney plans to argue battered spouse defense in 2020 death of Boone's boyfriend". FOX 35 Orlando. 2023-01-17. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
- FULL Police Interrogation of Accused 'Suitcase Murderer' Sarah Boone, retrieved 2023-04-19
- Silver, Lauren (March 30, 2023). "Sarah Boone, charged in boyfriend's suitcase death, pens letter to judge". Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- James, Julianna. "Sarah Boone's trial date revealed as Winter Park Florida-native allegedly leaves boyfriend to die in suitcase". www.sportskeeda.com. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
- Hazen, Bob (2023-03-31). "Central Florida woman accused of leaving boyfriend to die in suitcase struggling to find defense experts". WESH. Retrieved 2023-04-19.