Daniela Tabares Maya, a 21-year-old resident of Coral Springs, Florida, tragically lost her life on November 23, 2019. Daniela was a student at Florida International University, working towards her Bachelor's degree. She was known for her dedication to fitness and was an active member of the Training for Warriors gym community in Coral Springs. On the night of her death, Daniela had been out with friends, including Yvonne Serrano, at the World of Beer in Coconut Creek. The group had enjoyed a night of socializing and camaraderie before Daniela drove Serrano back to her home in Maplewood Isles.
The following morning, Serrano called the Coral Springs Police Department, reporting that she had found a woman lying dead outside an unknown vehicle in her driveway. Serrano claimed she did not recognize the vehicle or the deceased woman. However, police quickly grew suspicious of Serrano's account. Surveillance footage showed Daniela's Nissan truck pulling into Serrano's driveway around 2 a.m., and a 9-millimeter shell casing was found near the vehicle. Further investigation revealed that Serrano had a concealed carry permit and owned a 9-millimeter Sig Sauer P365 pistol, which was later found with blood on it.
Serrano was arrested and charged with the murder of Daniela Tabares Maya. During the trial, it was revealed that Serrano had deleted footage from her RING doorbell camera, leading to additional charges of tampering with evidence. Despite Serrano's claims of having no recollection of the events, the jury found her guilty of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. In August 2024, Serrano was sentenced to life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 25 years before eligibility for parole.
The motive for the killing has never been made public, leaving many questions unanswered about the tragic events that led to Daniela's death. The case has left a lasting impact on the Coral Springs community, particularly among those who knew Daniela through her gym and university. The sentencing of Yvonne Serrano brought some measure of justice, but the loss of Daniela Tabares Maya continues to be deeply felt by her family and friends.
