Florida woman sentenced to life for suffocating boyfriend in suitcase

A Florida woman, Sarah Boone, 47, has been sentenced to life in prison for the second-degree murder of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres Jr., 42, after zipping him inside a suitcase and leaving him to suffocate.

The verdict was delivered on Monday, Dec. 2, in an Orlando courtroom, following Boone’s conviction over a month ago.

The chilling incident occurred on Feb. 24, 2020, in the couple’s Winter Park apartment. Boone claimed the tragic event stemmed from a drunken game of hide-and-seek, during which she found it amusing that Torres could fit inside a suitcase. However, evidence presented during the trial painted a darker picture.

Videos recovered from Boone’s phone played a pivotal role in the case. In the recordings, Torres can be heard pleading for his life, repeatedly saying, “I can’t breathe,” as Boone ignored his cries.

Instead of helping him, she mocked and berated him. “For everything you’ve done to me,” Boone is heard saying, comparing his suffocation to her feelings of betrayal over his alleged infidelity and abuse.

The court also heard that when Torres managed to get one hand outside the suitcase, Boone used a baseball bat to hit his hand, forcing him to retract it. She testified that she feared he might “break out of the suitcase,” though her laughter in the videos contradicted any claims of self-defense.

During her trial, Boone took the stand to argue that the situation spiraled out of control. She claimed she initially viewed Torres being in the suitcase as an opportunity to discuss their relationship, alleging past abuse. Despite these assertions, the jury found her actions intentional and cruel, leading to her conviction.

This tragic case underscores the devastating consequences of domestic conflicts escalating into violence. Jorge Torres Jr.’s death has left his family and community mourning, while Boone’s life sentence serves as a stark warning about the seriousness of such actions.