Woman jailed for killing aunt with a meat cleaver and raping boy
A woman has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for the murder of her aunt and raping a teenage boy.
Elizabeth Sanchez, also known as Digna Sanchez-Ortiz, killed her aunt Maria Palaguachi with a meat cleaver in March 2017, in their New York home.
Court records show Sanchez pleaded guilty to manslaughter and rape in June.
Acting Queens District Attorney, John Ryan, said the rape charge concerned a sexual relationship Sanchez had with a 15-year-old boy.
According to CNN, the 15-year-old boy was a relative, and Sanchez had sex with him on multiple occasions.
Sanchez, who is now 32-years-old will serve the two sentences – 21 years and 2 and 1/3 to 7 years – simultaneously.
She was initially charged with the murder of her aunt, then following a police investigation, charged with second-degree rape.
Mr Ryan said Palaguachi, the 50-year-old aunt took Sanchez in when she had no where else to stay.
"This defendant brutally took the life of her close relative, someone who took her into her home when the woman did not have a place to stay," Mr Ryan said in a statement Tuesday.
"This was a brutal attack that has traumatised an entire family."
According to CNN, Sanchez hid the meat cleaver in the attic after killing her aunt, who died from injuries to her head, back and shoulders.
Palaguachi’s daughter found her body, according to People.
Sanchez’s lawyer did not comment on the sentencing.
With AP
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