Former Olympic Boxer Receives Life Sentence for Pregnant Girlfriend's Tragic Murder

Félix Verdejo Sánchez, a former Olympic boxer from Puerto Rico, has been handed a life sentence for the tragic killing of his pregnant girlfriend in 2021. This sentencing, delivered by a federal judge, comes over two years after the horrifying incident that took the life of 27-year-old Keishla Rodríguez Ortiz and her unborn child.

In July, a jury composed of three men and nine women found the 30-year-old Verdejo guilty of kidnapping resulting in death and causing the death of an unborn child. They, however, could not reach a verdict on the other two charges against him, which included carjacking resulting in death and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

During the trial, Luis Antonio Cádiz-Martínez, who was also implicated in the case, testified that Verdejo had pressured Rodríguez Ortiz to undergo an abortion before her tragic demise.

Cádiz-Martínez had previously pleaded guilty to carjacking resulting in death and killing an unborn child, awaiting his own sentencing.

Prosecutors outlined that on the fateful morning of April 29, 2021, the two men lured Rodríguez Ortiz into Verdejo's vehicle. There, she was subjected to physical harm and injected with drugs before being tied to a cement block with metal wire. Subsequently, she was disposed of in the San José Lagoon in San Juan, with Verdejo's direct involvement.

Rodríguez Ortiz's body was discovered on May 1, 2021, and Verdejo surrendered to authorities shortly afterward. An autopsy revealed the presence of fentanyl and xylazine, a sedative used for animals, in her system. It was determined that she was still alive when she was thrown into the lagoon.

The incident provoked widespread outrage and protests on the island, prompting Puerto Rico's Governor Pedro Pierluisi to declare a state of emergency for gender violence in Puerto Rico. This drew attention to the systemic issues of machismo, inequality, discrimination, and lack of action.

The sentencing serves as a message that breaking the law, regardless of fame, wealth, or power, will have consequences.

[SOURCE]