Over six years after the tragic death of Alejandro Sánchez, affectionately known by his family as "Coco," Karina Corbalan has admitted guilt in the second-degree murder case. On Monday, she received a 25-year state prison sentence for shooting him outside his Hialeah home.
This plea agreement concluded a case that had shocked South Florida since March 2020, sidestepping the trial that was set to commence on the same day, as reported by NBC Miami.
In addition to her prison term, Corbalan will face a decade of probation. The court will acknowledge the time she's been incarcerated since her arrest shortly after the March 2020 incident.
Details of the Fatal Shooting
The crime took place on March 2, 2020, near the 5600 block of West 21st Street in Hialeah. Sánchez was seated in front of his home when Corbalan opened fire. Despite being rushed to a hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.
Family members noted that the pair had been in a relationship for around five years, which Sánchez had ended approximately four months before the murder.
Sánchez's mother, Aymee Sánchez, later confirmed that her son was shot up to 15 times. Part of the assault was captured on security cameras. Investigations revealed Corbalan admitted to firing at her former boyfriend during a dispute about their past relationship.
When Hialeah Police arrived at the scene, they discovered Corbalan kneeling beside Sánchez's body.
Corbalan's Troubled History
The case attracted significant media attention, not only for the brutal nature of the crime but also due to Corbalan's history and her conduct during her detention pending trial.
During her time in custody, she faced additional charges for attacking a fellow inmate and had previous records involving domestic violence and an assault case against a law enforcement officer, which had been resolved through a diversion program.
Heartfelt Apologies and Family's Anguish
In one of the most intense moments of Monday's court proceedings, Corbalan addressed the family of the man she confessed to killing.
"I loved Alejandro Sánchez. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I never meant to harm him," she stated before the court.
Her remorse was met with an immediate response from Aymee Sánchez, the victim's mother.
"You're a heartless person, you're very evil," she retorted.
Aymee Sánchez had previously spoken publicly about the pain of losing her son. In March 2021, during a vigil in Miami marking the first anniversary of the murder, she recounted the brutal nature of the attack.
"It was 15 bullets. She never stopped," she told Telemundo 51 at the time.
She also shared the deep distress of grappling with her son's death and the circumstances surrounding it.
"How can you be so evil? How can you have such a heart? You destroyed my life and yours," she expressed.
Key Aspects of the Hialeah Shooting Case
What led to Karina Corbalan's 25-year prison sentence?
Karina Corbalan received a 25-year sentence after pleading guilty to second-degree murder for shooting her ex-boyfriend, Alejandro Sánchez, outside his home in Hialeah.
What were the circumstances of Alejandro Sánchez's murder?
The murder occurred on March 2, 2020, when Sánchez was shot multiple times by Corbalan while sitting outside his residence. The attack was partly captured on security cameras.
What was Karina Corbalan's behavior during her detention?
During her detention, Corbalan faced charges of assaulting a fellow inmate and had a history of domestic violence and an assault case against a law enforcement officer.