Irina García, born around 1984, was of Cuban descent and spent her early years in Cuba. When she moved to Miami, Florida, she was accompanied by her mother, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her life. Though details about her childhood remain scarce, Irina eventually found love and married José Rosa, a man serving in the military. Together, they welcomed their son, Derek Rosa, born on August 26, 2010. However, the marriage did not last, and the couple divorced. Despite this, they successfully co-parented Derek, who lived with Irina on weekdays and spent weekends with his father.
Derek Rosa’s Upbringing and Aspirations
Derek Rosa was a model student, known for his good manners, academic success, and strong character. He was enrolled at Matter Academy, where he excelled in his studies and nurtured a dream of joining the U.S. military as an engineer. His close relationship with his mother and grandmother helped shape him into a respectful and well-behaved young man. Despite his parents’ separation, Derek’s family life appeared stable and filled with support.
After her divorce from José, Irina found love again with Frank Ramos, a fellow Cuban who worked as a long-distance truck driver. The couple settled into an apartment in Hialeah, Florida. In 2023, Irina and Frank prepared for the arrival of their first child together. Just before the birth of their daughter, Ashley, they captured their excitement in a family photo shoot. Ashley was born in late September, and the family looked forward to the new addition. Irina was described as a warm and loving person who had built a peaceful, happy home for her family.
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The Tragic Events of October 12, 2023
But on October 12, 2023, just days after Derek’s 13th birthday, a shocking event unfolded that would devastate the family. Derek Rosa placed a chilling 9-1-1 call, confessing that he had killed his mother with a knife. His voice was filled with fear and uncertainty as he explained the situation to the dispatcher. At the time, he was home alone with his 14-day-old sister, who remained unharmed in her crib. Frank, his stepfather, was away on a trip, testing a truck outside the city.
During the call, Derek Rosa mentioned that there were two firearms in the apartment, though he did not use them. He admitted that after the crime, he briefly considered harming himself but ultimately decided against it. He also revealed that he had spoken to a friend about what had happened, raising more questions for investigators.
Police rushed to the scene as the dispatcher worked to keep Derek calm. The tension mounted as officers arrived, but Derek peacefully surrendered without incident. Inside the apartment, they found Irina’s body lying on the bed, covered in blood, while her newborn daughter slept undisturbed. The infant was later placed in the care of her maternal grandmother.
That same night, Derek Rosa was taken into custody and interrogated by the Hialeah police. Despite the gravity of his actions, he remained calm as he explained the events. He described waking up just after 11:30 PM, going to the kitchen to retrieve a knife, and entering his mother’s room, where she slept next to Ashley. He attacked her while she slept, explaining the bloodstains on his shirt and hands during the questioning.
Chilling Details Emerge
As Derek Rosa recounted the horrific details, he described how he first stabbed his mother in the neck, targeting what he believed to be a vulnerable area. According to his account, Irina screamed only once before falling silent. He also admitted to insulting his mother in Spanish before attacking her. However, when detectives asked him why he had committed the crime, Derek hesitated. He requested a break to use the bathroom and remained silent when he returned, eventually asking for a lawyer, bringing the interrogation to an end.
A forensic examination later revealed that Irina had suffered 46 wounds, with many concentrated on her face. Disturbing evidence from Derek’s phone shocked investigators even further—he had sent photographs of his deceased mother to a friend, along with a selfie where he posed with blood on his hands.
Derek had confided in a friend about the crime, someone he had met through online gaming when he was ten years old. The two had never met in person, and Derek Rosa only knew his friend by the alias “Sweden,” a name saved in his phone. This connection, along with the photographs, added another layer of complexity to the already tragic and disturbing case.
As investigators combed through Derek Rosa’s phone, they unearthed chilling evidence that provided insight into the premeditated nature of his actions. His search history revealed queries about how to kill someone with a knife, including the most effective methods and which parts of the body to target for a quick result. Authorities noted that Derek Rosa had focused his research on the jugular vein, a detail that would later prove significant in his mother’s murder.
Derek’s Arrest and Frank’s Alibi
With Derek Rosa as the sole suspect in the murder of his mother, Irina García, authorities swiftly took him into custody. His stepfather, Frank Ramos, was cleared of suspicion as he had been working out of state in Georgia at the time of the incident. Despite this, the entire community was left reeling, unable to reconcile the image of the promising young student with the horrific crime he had committed. Neighbors and friends who had known Derek as a polite and focused student were in disbelief.
In the wake of the tragedy, Derek’s family asked for privacy as they mourned the loss of Irina. Both the police and school officials confirmed that Derek had no history of behavioral issues at school or home. There were no documented signs of mental health struggles that could explain his actions. On October 27, 2023, it was announced that Derek would face a first-degree murder charge and would be tried as an adult.
His request for house arrest under the supervision of his father and grandmother was denied, and he was transferred to the Metro West Detention Center in Doral. Given his young age, Derek was kept in isolation from the general population and monitored closely, as he was considered a danger to himself.
Support for Derek Emerges
Despite the overwhelming evidence, a small but vocal group rallied in Derek’s defense. His father, who had served 22 years in the military, was baffled by his son’s actions. He described Derek Rosa as a respectful and dedicated student and could not fathom what had driven him to commit such a crime. Derek’s maternal grandmother also defended him, calling him “the best boy in the world” and urging people not to judge him too quickly.
An online campaign titled “Save Derek Rosa” was launched, gaining over 23,000 signatures in support of the teenager. The petition cast doubts on Derek’s involvement, suggesting that his search history might have been manipulated or that someone else had accessed his phone. One of the key arguments was that some of the search terms were in Spanish, a language Derek Rosa was not fully fluent in, raising suspicion about whether he had actually typed those queries himself.
Despite Frank’s established alibi, rumors and speculation continued to swirl around him. Some accused Frank of manipulating Derek into committing the crime, and others raised questions about Frank’s personal life. Public interest in the case intensified when photos surfaced online of Frank with another woman and two children, suggesting he may have had a second family in his home country. Although there was no concrete evidence linking him to a secret past, these rumors only fueled public suspicion.
Adding to the controversy, Frank opposed the defense’s request to search the apartment, stating that Derek’s father and other relatives had already removed several items. The prosecution supported Frank’s stance, but this decision added to the growing mistrust. Frank’s silence following the incident only deepened conspiracy theories about his possible involvement.
The Trial Begins
On December 14, 2023, Derek’s trial officially began. His father, grandmother, and other relatives were present as the defense mounted its case. They argued for Derek’s transfer to a juvenile detention center, claiming that his rights were being violated by keeping him in an adult facility at such a young age. They pointed out that Derek Rosa was receiving minimal interaction with other inmates and spent up to 20 hours a day confined to his cell.
However, prosecutors argued that Derek Rosa was receiving adequate education and support while incarcerated. Testimonies from a counselor and two of his teachers indicated that he was continuing his high school education while in detention. Derek’s math teacher testified that the boy responded to lessons like any other student, while his language teacher expressed concerns about his frequent confusion during lessons, suggesting possible learning difficulties. Both teachers noted that Derek was polite and hardworking, even in such difficult circumstances.
Derek’s defense attorneys pointed out that he had lost six pounds during his time in detention, attributing the weight loss to the depression he was experiencing in isolation. They called a forensic psychologist to testify, although the expert had not personally evaluated Derek Rosa. The psychologist speculated that Derek might be suffering from severe self-harm tendencies, which had not been outwardly visible.
During a recent hearing, a forensic psychologist suggested that Derek Rosa might be on the autism spectrum. The recommendation was that he be treated as if he had autism until a formal diagnosis could be made. This marked the first mention of autism in Derek’s case, despite no prior signs of such a condition in his school records, which had shown no behavioral or developmental issues over the past eight years. Alongside this suggestion, a psychologist from the correctional health services diagnosed Derek Rosa with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and confirmed his tendencies toward self-harm.
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Video Evidence and Emotional Confession
The court also heard testimony from investigators who had interacted with Derek Rosa in the hours following the crime, accompanied by the disturbing video of his confession. It was during the screening of this video that Derek, usually composed, lowered his head and appeared to cry. Additionally, two new pieces of security footage were presented by the state attorney’s office. In one clip, Derek is seen opening the door to the apartment, where his mother, Irina, is sitting with their newborn. Some sources reported that an argument had taken place between them before the crime. The second video shows Derek Rosa standing by his mother’s bedside as she slept, mere moments before the fatal attack.
These grim details, combined with photographs of the crime scene, including the weapon used, were presented by prosecutors to argue against Derek’s transfer to a juvenile detention center. They emphasized the danger he posed to the community. After days of testimony, the judge acknowledged concerns over Derek’s isolation but found no clear violation of his constitutional rights. Consequently, the defense’s request to transfer Derek Rosa to a juvenile facility was denied, and the judge ordered that he remain in the adult detention center.
In an emotional hearing held on February 15, 2024, Derek’s defense team presented 26 letters written by his family members, all portraying him as a loving child who had always been kind and respectful. These heartfelt letters were read aloud in the courtroom, emphasizing the deep emotional toll the situation had taken on Derek’s loved ones. His grandmother, father, and other relatives were in attendance, their faces filled with concern and hope. Many supporters had traveled from across the United States to show their solidarity, wearing t-shirts with slogans like “Save Derek!” They firmly believed that Derek Rosa, still a child, could not have committed such a brutal act and needed guidance rather than punishment.
His father and grandmother both pleaded for leniency, emphasizing that Derek Rosa was a boy, not yet an adult, and deserved a second chance. The letters urged the court to reconsider treating Derek as an adult, with the defense team arguing that this was not appropriate for someone his age.
Legal Challenges and Missing Evidence
As the trial approached, Derek’s defense team expressed their unpreparedness, claiming the prosecution had yet to provide essential evidence. They cited missing witness reports, baby monitor footage, and personal items, including clothing, that had not been made available. The defense requested a court order to compel the prosecution to turn over the evidence or have it excluded from the trial. However, the prosecution itself was facing challenges, as they had been unable to retrieve data from Derek’s computer, gaming consoles, and other electronic devices.
The judge confirmed that there were over 750 photos and multiple witness statements to be reviewed. He ordered the prosecution to submit all unedited evidence and set a new hearing date. Despite this, the judge reaffirmed his decision to try Derek Rosa as an adult, citing the serious nature of the crime and the importance of ensuring a thorough legal process.
The Struggles of Isolation and a Virtual Hearing
Throughout the legal proceedings, Derek’s defense team repeatedly petitioned for him to be declared indigent, stating that his family could not afford the expenses associated with private attorneys, expert witnesses, and forensic analyses. During the most recent hearing on September 21, 2024, Derek Rosa appeared virtually and remained silent. His family was visibly emotional upon seeing him on the screen, overwhelmed by the strain of the situation.
Concerns about Derek’s mental health and the time he spent in isolation continued to be raised. Records from March 2024 revealed that he had spent a mere 119 hours outside his cell, with only five of those hours devoted to education. Despite this, the judge once again denied the defense’s request to transfer Derek Rosa to a juvenile facility, citing no significant change in the conditions of his confinement.
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Unraveling New Developments
As Derek’s trial draws near, new developments have emerged. The prosecution identified Derek’s mysterious online friend, known only by the alias “Sweden,” from the night of the crime. Through electronic device analysis, detectives traced the phone’s owner and conducted an interrogation. The prosecution plans to present video testimony from “Sweden” during the trial, which is scheduled for December 2, 2024.
Meanwhile, the defense team has obtained a series of text messages exchanged between Hialeah police detectives and Derek’s stepfather, Frank Ramos. These messages could provide crucial information regarding Frank’s relationship with Derek Rosa and whether any undue influence or manipulation played a role in the events leading up to the crime.
Awaiting Justice
As the case remains unresolved, Derek’s family, supporters, and the legal system continue to navigate the complex and heartbreaking nature of the situation. With 28 witnesses expected to testify, the trial will likely shed light on many unanswered questions, but for now, no judgments can be made about Derek’s guilt or innocence. The case remains under investigation, and the search for truth continues.
