A California man has been found guilty of brutally killing his ex-girlfriend in a horrifying attack recorded in a voicemail. A jury convicted 39-year-old Craig J. Charron of first-degree murder after a quick deliberation in Orange County.
The case centered on the murder of 25-year-old Laura Sardinha. She was stabbed multiple times inside her Huntington Beach apartment. Prosecutors revealed that Sardinha had taken steps to protect herself before her death. She obtained a restraining order against Charron and demanded he move out.
On the day of the murder, Sardinha had just changed her locks. She returned home while on a call with her mother and best friend. During that call, she suddenly said, “Oh my God, he’s here.” Her friend quickly ended the call to alert 911.
Moments later, Sardinha called back and left a chilling 37-second voicemail. In it, she screamed, “He’s gonna kill me!” and “Get away from me!” Prosecutors described the recording as a haunting account of her final moments. Deputy District Attorney Janine Madera told jurors, “You hear a woman narrating her own murder.”
The prosecution emphasized one message: Justice for Laura Sardinha.
Charron used multiple knives to attack her. He stabbed her twice in the chest and once in the head. One knife bent from the force of the blows. He also nearly severed her nose. The violence left the jury stunned.
Police arrived and found Sardinha dead. Charron was bleeding from wounds to his chest and neck. Prosecutors said he staged those injuries to suggest self-defense. Madera told jurors, “He was the aggressor 100% of the time.”
Justice for Laura Sardinha remained central throughout the trial.
Two weeks before the murder, Charron allegedly ruptured Sardinha’s eardrum. He also received $100,000 from a settlement Sardinha earned after a motorcycle crash.
Three of Charron’s ex-girlfriends testified against him. Each described physical abuse and confirmed past restraining orders.
Charron’s attorney claimed the violence came in the heat of passion. He also argued Charron acted in self-defense. The jury rejected that claim.
Charron now awaits sentencing. He faces the possibility of life in prison.
Justice for Laura Sardinha continues to drive public attention to the case.
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