Where is John Sandoval now? Know More Details Here
by Ushapriyanga
Updated Apr 17, 2023
Who is John Sandoval?
In the mid-80s, Tina and John crossed paths while studying at AIMS Community College in Greeley, Colorado. Tina was pursuing an Associate's Degree in Nursing while John was taking classes to become a radiology technician. On December 31, 1991, they tied the knot in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Unfortunately, their marriage was short-lived due to John's dark side, which Tina became aware of.
Within two years of getting married, Tina initiated divorce proceedings. She even moved into a new apartment and resumed dating, hoping that the divorce would be finalized soon. Tina disclosed to some of her colleagues at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley that her estranged husband was suffering from voyeurism, a disease where he would follow random women at convenience stores and stalk them for days on end.
He even indulged in late-night peeping through their windows and allegedly entered their homes, hiding in cupboards and under beds to avoid detection while satisfying his desire. Tina claimed that John had even stolen women's underwear and brought them home. Police had visited the Sandoval residence multiple times to question John following complaints.
When the officers came knocking at their door in the summer of 1995, Tina had had enough and filed for divorce. She also confided in her colleagues that she had noticed John's car parked outside her new apartment on several occasions and expressed fear that he might be stalking her. Despite Tina's decision to divorce him, John did not want the same and purportedly threatened to commit suicide.
Where is John Sandoval now?
Tina's disappearance, investigators obtained a search warrant to search John's home and found Tina's credit cards. No activity was recorded on the cards from four days before her disappearance. Upon bringing John to the station for interrogation, the detectives observed fresh scratch marks caused by fingernails on his face, neck, chest, and shoulder.
John tried to destroy evidence by cleaning and biting his fingernails during the questioning. Despite the strong suspicion, nobody, the crime scene, or witnesses were found, and John refused to reveal any information about Tina's disappearance. Consequently, the District Attorney did not press charges, and the case went cold for almost 14 years.
However, a new District Attorney reviewed the case and found enough circumstantial evidence to charge John with first-degree murder. He was arrested on June 18, 2009, and on August 5, 2010, sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. During the trial, Jesse Martinez, a cousin of John Sandoval, was a crucial witness for the prosecution.
According to reports, Tina and Jesse began a relationship a month before she left John. Jesse testified that John had stalked and murdered Tina, helping to convince the jury of John's guilt.
John Sandoval Today
John's conviction for the murder of his wife, Tina, was based on testimony from prior victims and investigating officers. However, the case continued as Tina's body was not found, and a technicality led to the overturning of John's guilty verdict by the Colorado Court of Appeals in 2016. Although a new trial was scheduled, John eventually revealed the location of Tina's remains at the Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Greeley in exchange for a plea deal.
Tina's decomposed remains were recovered from the grave in March 2017, nearly 22 years after her disappearance. John pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 25 years in prison plus five years on parole, with credit for time served. He will be eligible for parole in 2020, after serving 12 years. Despite this, his parole is not guaranteed.
John is currently incarcerated at the Trinidad Correctional Facility, and his next parole hearing is in January 2026, with his expected release date in 2032. Tina's sister, Kelly Fryan, expressed surprise at the parole eligibility date, but experts argue that it does not guarantee his release.
John Sandoval murder case
Upon receiving Mary's complaint about Tina's disappearance, the officers went to Tina's apartment to investigate. They found no evidence of a break-in or struggle inside the apartment, but Tina's nurse uniform was still there, indicating she had returned home after her shift. However, her car was missing from its usual spot, prompting a search for it. The car was found four blocks away from John's house at 3:00 am on October 20.
Law enforcement officials used a K-9 unit, and the dog traced the scent from the car's driver seat to John's residence nearby. Due to complaints from Tina's family and his prior criminal record, John became the primary suspect in Tina's alleged disappearance. The authorities also discovered that he had been convicted of harassment and burglary in the past and had been questioned by law enforcement agencies.
Upon arriving at John's residence, he attempted to escape through his bedroom window but was caught by the uniformed officers who observed suspicious fresh scratches on his torso and neck. He was then arrested on unrelated trespassing charges and brought in for questioning. Since the investigation into Tina's disappearance was just starting, there was no evidence to charge John at the time. Meanwhile, other officers searched John's residence for possible leads or clues.
John Sandoval Release Date
The plea agreement was reached in 2017, and he received a 25-year prison sentence, which means he served 12 years by the time he becomes eligible for parole in 2020, thanks to the credit for time served. Tina's sister, Kelly Fryan, stated that they had not anticipated parole until 2028, and they were now dealing with it just two years after the plea bargain.
Sandoval was charged with Tina Tournai-Sandoval's murder in 2009 and was convicted in 2010. However, his conviction was overturned in 2016 due to procedural errors. As a result of the plea agreement in 2017, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison, with credit for time served. He will be eligible for parole in 2020, much earlier than expected by Tina's family.
They will be submitting victim statements every six months to oppose his potential release. "Dealing with this" refers to the emotional and psychological burden of having to repeatedly fight against his release. His inmate records state his next parole hearing is in January 2026, and his expected release date is in 2032.
Where is John Sandoval now - FAQs
Tina Tournai-Sandoval was a nurse who disappeared in 1985. She was married to John Sandoval, who was later found guilty of her murder in 2010.
Tina Tournai-Sandoval disappeared on October 18, 1985.
John Sandoval, Tina's husband, was charged with her murder in 2009.
John Sandoval was found guilty of Tina Tournai-Sandoval's murder in 2010.