Hide-and-Seek Tragedy: Woman Locks Boyfriend in Suitcase, He Dies

Florida: A Florida lady, Sarah Boone was found guilty of second-degree murder in 2020 for the death of her partner, Jorge Torres Jr., whom she locked inside a suitcase during a game of hide-and-seek. The jury returned the verdict on October 25, following a trial that revealed the details of the case. Boone, now 47, claimed that the incident was a result of a playful game, while Torres, 42, tragically suffocated inside the bag.

Game turned into Tragedy

The couple had been drinking wine and doing puzzles at their apartment when they thought it would be “funny” to see if they could fit inside the suitcase, according to an arrest affidavit from the Orange County Sheriff's Office.

Boone thought Torres would free himself when she saw two of his fingers sticking out of the opening when he was zipped into the blue bag. She zipped him in and went to bed, anticipating his arrival.

When Boone awoke, she found Torres unresponsive inside the suitcase and quickly called 911. Upon arrival, Orange County Sheriff's deputies found Torres lying near the front door next to the blue suitcase. Boone initially claimed she didn’t think he was trapped when she left him there.

Boone trialed

A statement from the attorney's office revealed that trial evidence included videos from Boone's phone, where Torres could be heard desperately asking to be freed while Boone laughed and dismissed his pleas. In the recordings, Torres said he couldn’t breathe and requested to be let out, to which Boone replied, “That’s what you get. That’s what I feel like when you cheat on me,” along with other taunts.

During the trial, Boone testified in her own defense, asserting that she never intended to kill Torres. She claimed her actions were in self-defense, alleging past abuse by him and insisting she did not mean to hurt him. However, her testimony was contradicted by earlier statements and video evidence showing her mocking Torres as he begged to be let out of the suitcase.

The jury found guilty of second-degree murder, after being trialed for 10 day.

Boone's attorney described her reaction to the verdict, stating, “Just shock. She’s shocked, you know. She believed she had a defense. We’re obviously very disappointed.” This comment was made during an interview with CNN.

State attorneys noted that the verdict brought a sense of closure to Torres's family members. “I think they were finally happy to see this case go to trial and put this one in the books,” remarked one attorney.

Boone is scheduled to be sentenced on December 2nd, said attorney's office.