A man has been sentenced to death after being found guilty of murdering his pregnant girlfriend just before she was due to give birth. Jose Soto-Escalera, 48, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the death of 23-year-old Tania Wise, who was about one week away from delivering a son named Josiah.
DNA evidence confirmed Soto-Escalera as the father of the unborn child. Prosecutors revealed that he killed Tania to conceal their relationship from his wife. The tragic incident unfolded in August 2018 when Tania was discovered in a roadside ditch in northern St. Lucie County, Florida, with fatal head injuries and a cut throat.
During the investigation, incriminating communications between Tania and Soto-Escalera were unearthed, unbeknownst to the man’s wife. Tania had informed Soto-Escalera of her pregnancy, requesting financial assistance for an abortion. However, instead of using the money he provided, she gave it to another individual, enraging Soto-Escalera who felt deceived.
Phone records placed Soto-Escalera at the location where Tania’s body was found. Additionally, his search history revealed inquiries about locating a dead body in wooded areas. Following a jury’s recommendation, Soto-Escalera was sentenced to death, with the judge concurring that it was a just punishment for his heinous crimes.
In a separate case, Richard Djerf, an Arizona prisoner, is set to be executed for the murders of the Luna family more than three decades ago. Despite expressing remorse and seeking forgiveness in a heartfelt letter, Djerf, 55, is still slated to receive a lethal injection on October 17 for the deaths of Albert Luna Sr, Patricia, Rochelle, and Damien Luna.