Casselberry, FL — A Florida man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after fatally stabbing his girlfriend in a shocking domestic attack, authorities confirmed. The victim, Vanessa Santiago, was killed in her Casselberry apartment on the morning of May 29, 2024, leaving the family and community devastated.
Conviction and Sentencing
38-year-old Farel Torres was convicted of second-degree murder by a Seminole County jury on September 18, 2025, following a brief 14-minute deliberation. Prosecutors argued that Torres killed Santiago after becoming enraged over her decision to break up with him and remove him from the apartment they shared with their 3-year-old son and Santiago’s 5-year-old son from a previous relationship.
He was immediately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, reflecting the severity of the crime and its impact on the victims’ family.
Horrific Crime Details
Authorities reported that Torres used a four-inch steak knife to commit the murder. Surveillance cameras within the apartment captured the events leading up to and including the attack.
According to Domenick Leo, chief trial attorney for the 18th Circuit, Torres manipulated the cameras to hide his actions, including removing the SD card from a camera in the bedroom where Santiago was killed. Video footage shows that Santiago was stabbed at least seven times, including stabs to her chest, abdomen, ear, and face, with one knife wound lodged in her skull.
Children Witnessed the Attack
The apartment’s 5-year-old child was present during the murder, witnessing his mother being attacked. Leo described the footage as “just awful, awful, awful,” showing the boy attempting to observe the scene from the hallway and under the door while his mother was bleeding.
“The older child hears the screams and the door to the bedroom was open, and you can see him climbing down the bunk bed… basically sees his mom getting stabbed and killed,” Leo said. “The kid turns around and you can see the video of the kid walking back. He looks like a ghost.”
After the murder, Torres allegedly cleaned up with baby wipes, dressed the children, and drove them to daycare as if nothing had happened. Surveillance at the daycare reportedly shows Torres interacting with the children in a nonchalant manner, giving the appearance of a normal day.
Police Involvement
After leaving the children at daycare, Torres called police and confessed to the murder, leading to his arrest and subsequent trial.
Community Reaction
The brutal nature of the crime, combined with the presence of the children during the attack, has left the Casselberry community reeling. Law enforcement and prosecutors emphasized the importance of holding perpetrators accountable, particularly in cases involving domestic violence and child exposure to violent acts.
The tragic death of Vanessa Santiago underscores the dangers of domestic violence and its impact on families. Share your thoughts, advice, or resources in the comments below to help raise awareness and protect vulnerable individuals in your community.
