Laura Gomez Cuartas, an 18-year-old Hispanic female, was found dead on March 30, 2017, in Orlando, Florida. Initially, her death was ruled a suicide by the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Laura was discovered with a gunshot wound to her chest at her best friend's house on Bellsworth Way in South Orange County. However, further investigation led authorities to reclassify her death as undetermined, prompting a deeper look into the circumstances surrounding her demise.
Laura was a senior at
Cypress Creek High School and had been accepted to Valencia College, where she planned to study to become a special education teacher. Her mother, Lina Cuartas, was adamant that her daughter did not commit suicide and sought justice for her death. The death certificate eventually indicated that Laura was "shot by other with handgun."
The investigation took a significant turn when Giovanni Gordono, a 17-year-old male, was arrested and charged in connection with Laura's death. Gordono, who was the brother of Laura's best friend, initially claimed that Laura had shot herself. However, his story changed multiple times during the investigation. At one point, he stated that they were both handling the gun when it accidentally discharged. Eventually, he admitted to holding the gun and dancing when it fired, striking Laura.
Gordono faced several charges, including manslaughter, tampering with physical evidence, giving a false report to authorities, and possession of a firearm by a minor. Despite being a juvenile, he was charged as an adult due to the severity of the case. He was booked into the Orange County Jail with a bond set at $15,350.
The case highlighted the complexities and challenges of determining the true nature of Laura's death. Her mother continued to advocate for justice, expressing her heartbreak and the need for accountability. The investigation and subsequent legal proceedings aimed to uncover the truth and provide some measure of closure for Laura's family.
