Sarah Boone, 47, has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the 2020 death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres, Jr, 42. Boone claimed the incident stemmed from a drunken game of hide-and-seek, where she allegedly zipped Torres into a suitcase, leaving him to suffocate.
The incident took place on Feb. 24, 2020, in Boone’s Winter Park, Florida home. Boone claimed the couple, who had a history of volatile interactions, had been drinking heavily and playing games throughout the day.
According to her, Torres climbed into the suitcase voluntarily during a game, believing he would be able to unzip it. However, Boone later claimed she left Torres zipped inside the suitcase and went upstairs to bed.
When Boone awoke the next morning, Torres was dead inside the suitcase.
The trial, held at the Orange County Courthouse in Orlando, began with jury selection on Oct. 14, 2024, followed by opening statements on Oct. 18.
Prosecutors argued that Boone’s actions were intentional and that she intended to harm Torres by leaving him trapped. Boone’s defense claimed she suffered from battered spouse syndrome and was a domestic abuse victim, casting Torres as an aggressor in the relationship.
During the trial, Assistant State Attorney Dave Cacciatore presented video evidence recorded by Boone herself, showing Torres inside the suitcase, pleading for his life.
Content warning: The video may be disturbing and difficult to watch.
In the video, Torres could be heard saying he could not breathe, while Boone taunted him, saying, “This is what it feels like for everything you’ve done to me.”
Prosecutors argued that this footage undermined Boone’s claims of accidental death, suggesting instead a deliberate act. Forensic testimony later revealed Torres died from positional asphyxia and environmental suffocation, with the death ruled a homicide.
In their defense, Boone’s attorneys painted a picture of an abusive relationship. Boone testified that she felt “trapped psychologically” in the relationship and argued that her actions were unintentional.
Defense attorney James Owens argued that Torres chose to get into the suitcase voluntarily, describing the act as a misguided, alcohol-fueled game.
Boone claimed she believed Torres would be able to unzip the suitcase on his own.
During closing arguments, Cacciatore held up the suitcase in court, describing it as a “small box” where Torres took his last breaths. “Jorge Torres was murdered in this box,” he said, explaining that Boone’s intent was to make Torres feel her “grievances” against him.
Owens countered by saying Boone was a victim of domestic violence who had endured long-standing abuse.
He argued she was traumatized and acted without the intent to kill, describing Torres as a willing participant in the events leading up to his death.
After less than two hours of deliberation, the jury found Boone guilty of second-degree murder. She faces a minimum sentence of 22 and a half years, with the possibility of life in prison. Sentencing is set for Dec. 2.
