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Crime

Sarah Boone found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres

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Sarah Boone, a Florida woman, has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the February 2020 death of her boyfriend, Jorge Torres.

The tragic incident occurred in Winter Park, Florida. Torres was found deceased inside a suitcase after a night of drinking and a bizarre game of hide-and-seek.

According to court documents, Boone initially claimed that the incident was an accident. She stated that she and Torres had been drinking and decided to play a game where Torres would hide inside the suitcase. Boone then fell asleep, unaware of the dire consequences.

However, video evidence recovered from Boone’s phone revealed a different story. The videos captured Torres’s distress as he struggled to breathe inside the suitcase, pleading for help. Boone’s response to his cries was callous and insensitive, as she made light of his suffering.

The medical examiner’s report confirmed that Torres died from asphyxiation and blunt force trauma.

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After a series of legal delays, including multiple changes of attorneys, Boone’s trial finally commenced in October 2024. The jury found her guilty of second-degree murder, a verdict that brings a sense of justice to the family and friends of Jorge Torres.

This is a developing story that will be updated when more information is available.


































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Security guard Yahaira Melendez charged with murder after shooting inside IHOP restaurant in Center City Philadelphia

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Security guard Yahaira Melendez charged with murder after shooting inside IHOP restaurant in Center City Philadelphia 1300 block of Walnut Street

PHILADELPHIA, PA — A security guard has been arrested and charged with murder following a fatal shooting at a Center City IHOP over the weekend that left a 43-year-old man dead.

The incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. on Saturday at the IHOP located in the 1300 block of Walnut Street, according to the Philadelphia Police Department.

When officers arrived, they discovered a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. The victim, who police say was unhoused, was transported to Jefferson Hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.

Investigators report that the victim had been causing a disturbance inside the restaurant prior to the shooting. As security personnel escorted him outside, he allegedly turned and spat on one of the guards.

That guard, identified as 38-year-old Yahaira Melendez, allegedly responded by drawing her firearm and shooting the victim once in the head.

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Police say preliminary findings indicate the victim was not armed at the time of the incident.

Melendez, a mother of three, was taken into custody and has been charged with murder and related offenses.

In a statement Melendez’s family expressed shock and disbelief over the situation, writing in part:

“We are shocked and devastated by the tragic events that occurred at the IHOP while she was working security. We know she would never harm anyone unless she felt she had no other choice to protect herself or others.”

The shooting has left nearby workers and residents shaken.

“Escalation — where was the escalation?” asked Karr Anderson, who works next door to the restaurant. “Security guards need to know how to withhold, how to show restraint.”

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Philadelphia Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including whether proper security protocols were followed and what led to the use of deadly force.

Authorities have not yet released the identity of the deceased pending family notification.


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