Teenage Boy Murders Mother, Sends Gruesome Photos to Friend

On October 12, 2023, 13-year-old Derek Rosa is alleged to have brutally murdered his 39-year-old mother, Irina Garcia, in their Hialeah, Florida apartment. According to prosecutors, Rosa stabbed his mother 46 times as she slept in her bed.

In the aftermath, Rosa is said to have documented the killing, taking photos of his mother's body in a pool of blood, as well as a "selfie" with his blood-soaked hand. Prosecutors claim that less than 10 minutes later, Rosa contacted a friend in another state, sending the grisly images and asking for the friend's opinion.

The friend initially thought Rosa was joking, but soon realized the horrific truth. Prosecutors allege that Rosa had a fascination with the Friday the 13th franchise and had planned to dress as the killer Jason Voorhees for Halloween, which was just hours away from the time of the murder.

It was Rosa himself who ultimately called 911 to report the crime, confessing to the operator. Police arrived at the apartment and took him into custody, noting bloody footprints leading from the bedroom to the front door. Rosa has pleaded not guilty to the charge of first-degree murder, and a court hearing on the defense's request to present an alternative suspect is scheduled for later this month.