The Disturbing Case of Derek Rosa: He Fatally Stabbed His Mother and Shared Photos of Her Body with Friends

In October 2023, a shocking and tragic crime happened in Florida, leaving many people confused and looking for answers.

Derek Rosa, a 13-year-old honor student, was arrested after a disturbing 911 call showed he had killed his mother.

This case has drawn a lot of attention and debate especially because of Derek's age, and the unusual nature of the crime.

Derek Rosa

Who is Derek Rosa?

Derek Rosa was born in 2010 and lived with his family in a suburb near Miami, Florida

At the time of the crime, he was an eighth-grader who was described as a model student and a respectful young man.

He was known for his academic excellence and kind demeanor. 

He lived with his mother, Irina Garcia, his stepfather, Frank, and his two-week-old baby sister.

Derek’s parents, Irina and Jose, had separated, and Irina had remarried Frank. 

Despite the changes in the family, Derek reportedly had a good relationship with his stepfather, who was frequently away for work. 

His stepfather was a trucker.

The family appeared to be living a normal life until the events of the night of October 12, 2023. 

Irina Garcia, Derek Rosa, and his stepfather, Frank

The Night of the Crime

On October 12, 2023, at around 11:30 PM, Derek called 911 and said he had killed his mother.

The call lasted 18 minutes, with parts of it being released to the public. 

During the call, Derek's calm demeanor did not reflect the seriousness of what he was saying.

Here’s an excerpt from the call:

“There’s blood all over the floor. I need to know. Do you think we can help your mom?”

Derek’s responses were disjointed and included disturbing details about sending photos of the crime scene to his friends. 

This raises questions about his state of mind and motivations.

Photo he sent to his 'online friend'

Shortly before the stabbing, a doorbell camera recorded Derek and his mother chatting when he came home that night.

In the footage, she playfully told him in Spanish to reduce the way he went out.

According to the doorbell camera and the camera that recorded the crime, nothing seemed unusual in the house that night.

It appears he waited for her to fall asleep before attacking and stabbing her multiple times.

When police arrived at the family’s apartment, they found Irina Garcia dead with multiple stab wounds.

Derek's baby sister was found unharmed, sleeping in her crib. 

The officers observed that Derek was polite and apologetic, which seemed unusual given the seriousness of the crime.

Derek Rosa's mother minutes before she was killed

Derek Rosa talking to his mom when he came back earlier that night

Court Hearing

Derek was arrested immediately without incident.

Authorities also decided that, despite his age, he will be tried as an adult.

Derek was initially held at a juvenile detention center but was later transferred to an adult facility after making threats to end his life. 

He is charged with first-degree murder and is being held without bond at the Metro West Detention Center. 

Derek’s court appearances have been marked by emotional family pleas.

They begged the court for leniency saying he was not in the right mental state that night.

His family has expressed disbelief, insisting that Derek is a good kid who shouldn’t be tried as an adult.

The legal battle continues, with Derek’s attorneys trying to have him moved back to a juvenile facility. 

So far, the judge has ruled against this request.

Analyzing the Case

The case has raised questions about Derek’s psychological state and any possible underlying issues.

Despite no known history of mental health issues, Derek’s behavior and statements during the 911 call suggest there might be more to the story.

Immediately after the crime, Derek said he sent pictures of his dead mother and a photo of himself with bloodstains to an "online friend" he had never met before.

Derek said he has known this online friend since he was 10.

He also said he doesn't know his online friend's real name and calls him "Sweden."

The question is why did Derek send these photos only to this mysterious online friend, whom he had known for just three years and had never met in person?

Was this quiet, calm honor student influenced into doing something he didn’t intend to do?

The effects of online interactions and possible developmental issues are concerns that haven’t been fully looked into yet.

Derek Rosa's family blowing him a kiss in court

Derek’s mention of an online friend raises questions about how online interactions might affect young people.

The case highlights the need to further examine how online environments can influence children’s behavior and decision-making.

Watch the complete video of his initial police interview below.

The Derek Rosa case is a tragic and complex story that is still unfolding. 

The trial is ongoing, and we await further developments so we can update you.

In another case, a serial rapist known as the Boston Strip Mall Rapist has been arrested after 34 years on the run.

Click here for more details.

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