Jorge Manuel Guerrero Torres has been found guilty and sentenced to life in prison for the kidnapping and murder of 9-year-old Diana Alvarez.
“This life sentence, which is one of two potential sentences he faced, ensures that this monster will be in prison to stay, with no automatic appeals and the alleviation of many potential post-conviction filings. The tragedy and heinous acts surrounding Diana’s death do not have to be relived in court by her family any longer,” said State Attorney Amira Fox.
The sentence comes after critical statements made by the defendant about his interactions with the victim and knowledge of the crime were suppressed by the judge.
Diana disappeared from her San Carlos Park home in May 2016 resulting in an immediate response by law enforcement locally, regionally, and nationally to find her.
Diana’s remains were located in 2020 in a wooded area of Osceola County.
The defendant was identified early on as a possible suspect as he had recently been living at the victim’s home but was asked to leave, just prior to her disappearance.
Guerrero Torres was arrested in 2017 for the crime by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
He was indicted by the Lee County Grand Jury in 2018 and the State Attorney’s Office filed a notice of intent to seek the death penalty.
“This case is not just a number; the victim is not just a photograph. From the very start of this case, the focus has been on Diana and for justice to be done. I hope she can rest in peace now that this defendant has been sentenced to serve the rest of his life in prison. He is a monster who preyed on an innocent little girl who should have been safe in her own home,” said State Attorney Amira Fox.
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Source: mysuncoast
