This past Friday, Telemundo 51 released never-before-seen, exclusive photos from inside the Hialeah apartment where Derek Rosa, then 13 years old, took the life of his mother, Irina García, on October 12, 2023.
Captured by forensic investigators, these images had never been publicly shown until now, following the conclusion of the young man's judicial proceedings.
Journalist Eduardo "Yusnaby" Rodríguez secured the exclusive photographs, detailing the evidence discovered by authorities when they arrived at the scene.
The photos reveal a stark contrast within the apartment: Derek’s room appeared typical for a teenager, featuring an eighth-grade school ID, diplomas on the wall, a laptop, books, notebooks, and decorations of Mario Bros, Luigi, and Rick and Morty. There was also a gun made out of Lego bricks.
However, the floor of this very room was stained with blood and bodily fluids.
Among the documented evidence was a bloody knife with a broken tip. Investigators also photographed live bullets on another bed, next to a paper target with multiple holes.
Nearly 20 blood-marked footprints, each around 25 centimeters long, were recorded by the experts, forming a direct path to the bathroom.
The images depict the bed where Irina García was attacked. The bloodshed reached the floor, extending to the base of a crib where Rosa's newborn sister lay unharmed.
Near the scene, authorities found a backpack containing family documents. Following these events, the minor called 911 to confess to the crime.
These photographic evidences were part of the state’s file intended for presentation to a jury, a moment that never came.
On January 16, 2026, Derek Rosa pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, four days before the scheduled start of jury selection, as part of a deal with the Miami-Dade County prosecution.
During the court hearing with Judge Richard Hersch, Rosa agreed to the plea and said, "I'm sorry" at the session's end.
At the time of the hearing, the 15-year-old initially faced first-degree murder charges with the threat of life imprisonment. The plea agreement allowed him to avoid that fate.
Rosa was sentenced to 25 years in state prison, with credit for time served since October 2023, followed by 20 years of probation.
In February 2026, he was transferred from Miami-Dade's Metro West Detention Center to the Suwannee Correctional Institution in Live Oak, northern Florida.
Upon the sentence's announcement, defense attorney Dayliset Rielo released a brief handwritten note from the young man: "Thank you to everyone who helped in my case."
The defense had argued that Rosa suffered from ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, claiming he did not understand his actions' consequences, but a judge allowed his initial confession as evidence.
An internal controversy also arose during the pretrial process: police investigators shared crime scene images in a WhatsApp group, prompting an internal investigation.
The case shocked the Hispanic community in South Florida since October 2023. The prosecution revealed that less than ten minutes after the attack, Rosa sent photos of his mother’s body and an image of his bloodied hand to a friend he played video games with online.
Statements from Derek Rosa’s father and other family members during the proceedings added layers of heartbreak to a case the prosecution described as one of the most wrenching in its recent history.
Key Details from the Derek Rosa Case
What led to Derek Rosa's guilty plea?
Derek Rosa pleaded guilty to second-degree murder as part of a plea deal with the Miami-Dade County prosecution, which allowed him to avoid a first-degree murder charge and the possibility of life imprisonment.
What evidence was found at the crime scene?
Forensic investigators documented a bloody knife with a broken tip, live bullets next to a paper target with holes, and roughly 20 blood-marked footprints leading to the bathroom. The apartment also contained a typical teenager's setup with school items and decorations.
How did the community react to the case?
The Hispanic community in South Florida was deeply shocked and saddened by the case. The prosecution described it as one of the most wrenching incidents in its recent history.