We would like to clarify some misinformation being circulated today in reference to the announcement of the grand jury indictment of Jorge Manuel Guerrero Torres for First Degree Murder, Kidnapping, and Lewd or Lascivious Molestation for the death of and crimes against 9 year old Diana Alvarez.
First, we again certainly empathize with the difficulty of a mother having to deal with the reality that her daughter is gone. This morning prior to the press conference at the State Attorney’s Office three members of law enforcement met with Mrs. Rita Hernandez, the mother of Diana Alvarez. Their arrival was within minutes of the indictment being signed. State Attorney’s Office Investigator Sean Hoover of the Special Victim’s Unit, State Attorney’s Office Victim’s Advocate Bea Saldarriaga of the Homicide Unit, and Sergeant Jody Payne of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office met with Mrs. Hernandez at her residence. They spent approximately two hours with her explaining the grand jury indictment and the findings of the grand jury. They answered any questions she had and explained the process of the legal system from this point forward.
The State Attorney’s Office works daily with victims and victims’ families to ensure they are apprised of the status of their cases. Any information that can be provided that does not compromise the law enforcement investigation is shared. Our prosecutors, investigators and victim’s advocates work together daily to be sure victims are represented and informed.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
239-533-1125
ssyoen@sao20.org