On September 5, 2017, 19-year-old Rosario 'Rosie' Sanchez, a young Hispanic woman, was tragically killed in her home in Tallahassee, Florida. The incident also claimed the life of her 59-year-old mother, Paula Portilla. The suspect, Malik Wade, who was also 19 at the time, was identified and arrested shortly after the murders. Wade was the father of Sanchez's two-year-old daughter, who was left alone in the house with the bodies for over 13 hours.
The events leading to the murders began
when Wade visited Sanchez at her home. According to court records, an argument ensued between them, during which Sanchez shoved Wade. In response, Wade pointed a handgun at Sanchez and asked if she was afraid of him. He then shot her multiple times, including in the chin and back. Portilla, who was present during the altercation, tried to protect her daughter but was also shot by Wade. After killing Sanchez, Wade forced Portilla and his daughter into the living room while he attempted to clean the crime scene. He placed Sanchez's body in the bathtub, poured bleach over her, and wrapped her in blankets before returning to the living room to shoot Portilla.
Wade was arrested in Donalsonville, Georgia, a few days after the murders. During questioning, he confessed to the killings and provided detailed accounts of the events. He was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, kidnapping with a firearm, and child neglect. Wade's history of aggression and impulsive behavior was noted in court records, including a previous attempt by his father to have him committed under the Baker Act.
The case against Wade proceeded with a grand jury indictment on the charges. The tragic deaths of Rosario Sanchez and Paula Portilla highlighted the severe consequences of domestic violence and the impact it can have on families and communities. The legal proceedings against Wade aimed to bring justice for the victims and their surviving family members.
