RALEIGH, NC – In a swift verdict, a North Carolina man was sentenced to life imprisonment for the brutal slaying of a young woman he had wed in a sham marriage aimed at securing his immigration status. Erick Hernandez-Mendez, from Raleigh, was found guilty of stabbing 20-year-old Christina Matos 16 times mere days after their nuptials.

Matos, a radiology student at Wake Technical Community College, was discovered deceased in her apartment back in April 2021. The prosecution painted a narrative of jealousy and brewing resentment, suggesting Hernandez-Mendez was angered by her social life and failed to fulfill his financial promises.

The defense strategy turned the blame towards the couple’s roommate, whom Hernandez-Mendez accused of jealousy and murder—a claim that resulted in her facing charges of obstruction of justice and accessory to murder after the fact. Despite his assertions, the evidence pointed towards Hernandez-Mendez as the perpetrator, including internet searches about gaining immigration status following a citizen spouse’s death.

During the trial, Hernandez-Mendez confessed to being gay and entering the marriage as a business transaction, alleging that he paid Matos for the arranged union. However, his story unraveled as the prosecution showed frequent text messages of Matos seeking the payment she never received.

Stricken with grief, Matos’ family attended the sentencing, where her father directly addressed the convicted, stating, “Today, justice was done for Christina. This gentleman deserves to be in hell.” Her mother rejected the notion of compassion in Hernandez-Mendez’s actions, while her brother condemned him for betrayal and violence within the Hispanic community.

The defense counsel for Hernandez-Mendez has yet to make a comment following the sentencing. Meanwhile, the community mourns the tragic loss of a young life cut abruptly short by a heinous act of violence.