If you live in the Bronx, this story hits close to home. The justice system has finally delivered a verdict in a chilling case that devastated a local family and rocked an entire community.
On Wednesday, a Bronx judge sentenced 35-year-old Jeremy Cortorreal to 20 years in prison for the brutal killing of his girlfriend, Lisette Gomez, in her apartment last year. After pleading guilty to manslaughter in March, Cortorreal is now facing the consequences of an attack that left behind heartbreak, trauma, and two young boys without their mother.
What We Know So Far
- The crime occurred on March 21, 2023, inside Gomez’s apartment in the Bronx.
- Lisette Gomez, 38, was found dead in bed — beaten and strangled.
- Bronx prosecutors say Jeremy Cortorreal, her live-in boyfriend, confessed to the crime.
- Surveillance showed the couple entering the apartment together. Cortorreal later fled alone.
- He was found hiding next door, inside his mother’s apartment.
- According to Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, “The defendant strangled his girlfriend, and he has now been held accountable with a substantial prison sentence.”
- The story was originally reported by the New York Daily News.
The attack left a clear trail of prior abuse. Family members say the couple had a violent history, and Gomez often reached out for help. “There were times she’d call and say, ‘Come, come, he’s beating me,’” her sister Carmen Torres said.
What It Means for the Bronx Community
For many Bronx residents, this case is a grim reminder of how quickly domestic violence can turn deadly. Neighbors recalled seeing Gomez with black eyes. Her family had reported abuse to police just two months before her death — but no action was taken.
Even more heartbreaking, Gomez’s two young sons, aged 6 and 8, had already been removed from the home due to the toxic and unsafe environment.
“She didn’t deserve to die like this,” her sister said. “She really didn’t. Wonderful woman, lovely, big heart.”
Former neighbors and relatives are still mourning her loss — and questioning how a known abuser was allowed to remain so close, despite repeated warnings.
What You Can Do Now
Domestic violence is often silent — but deadly. If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship:
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
- Report incidents to local police immediately and persistently
- Reach out to community shelters and legal aid organizations
- Don’t ignore warning signs — speak up before it’s too late
This case may be closed in court, but for Lisette Gomez’s family, the pain continues. As her sister put it, “She’s lovable. I miss her. She’s my younger sister.”
**This article was written by [Frank Mooney]. AI was used lightly for grammar and formatting, but the ideas, words, and edits are all mine.**