Eduardo Ivanez sentenced to mandatory life in prison

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- A Milwaukee County judge sentenced Eduardo Ivanez to mandatory life in prison in the murder of 15-year-old Stephanie Romero. Ivanez will not be eligible for parole until the year 2065.

Romero was found dead inside a home near 25th and Rogers on the city’s south side on April 20, 2012. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner performed an autopsy on Romero’s body and determined the cause of death as strangulation. However, the autopsy also showed Romero suffered cuts, abrasions and other blunt force injuries.

The criminal complaint in the case says Romero's body was found inside a vacant home and Ivanez was seen choking Romero and stabbing her repeatedly in the neck and head. Ivanez then returned days later to hide Romero's body in a crawl space.

Ivanez was found guilty of the murder on November 1, 2012. He faced two charges — first-degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse. Ivanez was found guilty on both.

In court for his sentencing on Thursday, Ivanez said he regrets the crime. 

"I just want to say I'm sorry and I know that's not going to fix anything," Ivanez said.

Romero's best friend Alanis Skenandore had organized a petition drive, calling for a harsh sentence for Ivanez.

"She didn't deserve a death like that. No one does. I'm so distraught, I don't even know how to say it. I just hope he realizes what he's done. I hope it hits him hard and I hope it hits him hard in his heart," Skenandore said.

Skenandore had hoped for life in prison without parole for Ivanez, but said she is happy with his sentence.

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