Sarah Boone Sentenced to Life in Prison for Suffocating Boyfriend in Suitcase

A woman in Florida was sentenced to life in prison for murdering her boyfriend by suffocating him while he was trapped in a suitcase. The incident, which occurred in February 2020, involved Sarah Boone, 46, and her then-boyfriend Jorge Torres. They had been playing a drunken game of hide-and-seek when Boone allegedly zipped Torres up in a suitcase. The case gained widespread attention when disturbing footage taken by Boone showed Torres struggling to breathe while trapped. Despite Boone claiming it was a game, prosecutors argued that she had hit Torres with a baseball bat and left him in the suitcase overnight, leading to his death by asphyxiation.

Horrific Incident and Trial

The harrowing event occurred in Boone and Torres's Winter Park apartment in Florida, where the two were drinking and engaging in a game of hide-and-seek. Boone's actions took a dark turn when she zipped Torres inside a suitcase, a move that would end in tragedy. The case gained notoriety not only for the grotesque nature of the crime but also for the chilling video footage Boone recorded of Torres struggling to breathe inside the suitcase.

The prosecution argued that Boone's actions went beyond a mere prank, presenting evidence that she had physically assaulted Torres and abandoned him in the suitcase overnight. The case took a further disturbing turn with the release of Boone's 911 call following Torres's death, where she described the events leading up to his death in a nonchalant manner

Life Sentence and Rejected Retrial

During the sentencing, Judge Michael Kraynick delivered a life sentence to Boone, marking the end of a prolonged legal battle. Boone's attorneys attempted to secure a retrial, but their motion was rejected by the judge, solidifying Boone's fate in the courtroom.

Impact on the Victim's Family

Throughout the trial and sentencing, the impact of Torres's death was felt acutely by his family. Torres's daughter took the stand during the sentencing, expressing the profound loss and grief her family experienced. She described her father as a "hidden gem," emphasizing the pain and anguish felt by the family in the wake of his untimely death.