Orange County jurors have found a 47-year-old woman guilty of second-degree murder, more than four years after she zipped her boyfriend inside a suitcase and left him to suffocate.
On February 23, 2020, Sarah Boone and her boyfriend, 42-year-old Jorge Torres Jr., spent the evening together at their residence located in the 4700 block of Frantz Lane in Winter Park. According to Boone, they consumed alcoholic beverages and then “played a game of hide-and-seek.”
Boone alleged that Torres climbed inside a suitcase as “part of the game.” Court records show that Boone proceeded to zip the suitcase closed, and she then recorded herself taunting Torres as he asked repeatedly to be let out of the suitcase.
Instead of unzipping the suitcase, Boone went upstairs to sleep. When she woke up, she discovered that Torres was unresponsive in the suitcase. She called 911, and Orange County Sheriff’s Office deputies quickly responded to the home.
Upon arrival, deputies observed Torres lying near the front door, next to a blue suitcase. The sheriff’s office stated that Boone initially claimed that she was unaware that Torres was stuck inside the suitcase when she left him there.
Two days later, OCSO detectives interviewed Boone and revealed that Torres had multiple injuries. While she initially denied causing those injuries, she later changed her statement and claimed that alcohol consumption had led to her actions on the night of Torres’ death.
Boone was then placed under arrest in connection with the murder of Torres.
When the case against Boone went to trial, videos found on Boone’s phone were presented as evidence. In those videos, Torres could be heard “frantically pleading to be released” while Boone laughed and rebuffed him.
In the videos recorded by Boone, Torres could be heard telling her that he was unable to breathe, and he asked to be let out of the suitcase. Boone responded by stating, “That’s what you get,” claiming that he was experiencing what she felt when he allegedly cheated on her.
During the 10-day trial, Boone took the stand in her own defense and claimed that she had no intention of killing Torres. She further claimed that her actions were in self-defense, alleging that Torres had previously abused her.
However, an Orange County jury ultimately determined that the video evidence contradicted Boone’s testimony. On Friday, October 24, 2024, jurors found Boone guilty of second-degree murder.
Boone is scheduled to be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, December 2, 2024. She is facing up to life in prison.