Man Sentenced For Murder Of Pregnant Neighbor
JOLIET, Ill. (STMW) - A southwest suburban man was sentenced to 35 years in prison Thursday for the brutal strangling and stabbing of a pregnant neighbor in 2006.
Hugo Sanchez, 25, of Krakar Ave. in Joliet, was found guilty by a jury in January 2009 of the murder of 23-year-old Regina Delosantos. Circuit Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak sentenced him Thursday to 35 years in prison, according to the Will County State's Attorney's office.
On Sept. 9, 2006, Sanchez broke into the home across the street, where he brutally murdered Delosantos while her husband was at work, the release said.
Bruises found on her body and scratches on the defendant's arms showed the victim, who was six months pregnant, fought for her life before being strangled with her own shirt and stabbed five times in the face and neck with a knife from her own kitchen.
DNA evidence from under Delosantos' fingernails conclusively linked Sanchez to the murder scene. He also had scratches on his arms from the struggle, the release said.
Additional DNA evidence showed that a second individual was present during the murder, but that person has not yet been identified, the release said. The attackers stole Delosantos' wallet, which contained $100.
