Where is Pearl Fernandez now? Is she still alive? how old is she?
by Aishwarya R
Updated Mar 25, 2023
Who is Pearl Fernandez?
In 2013, Pearl Fernandez and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre brutally murdered her son Gabriel Fernandez in their California home. Pearl is currently serving a life sentence at the Central California Women's Facility after being sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. In 2018, Pearl pled guilty to first-degree murder and murder involving torture, but avoided the death penalty. However, her expressions of remorse were rejected by the judge who called her actions "horrendous and inhumane and nothing short of evil."
During the trial, jurors heard how Gabriel was subjected to torture and abuse by his mother and her boyfriend, after being placed in their care eight months prior to his death. The abuse included beatings, being forced to eat cat litter and feces, being shot with a BB gun, and more. Gabriel's siblings, who Pearl also shared with his father Arnold Contreras, were also abused, but not to the same extent as Gabriel. Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami believed that Pearl and Aguirre tortured Gabriel because they thought he was gay.
On the day of Gabriel's murder, he was beaten by Pearl and Aguirre for not cleaning up his toys. Aguirre was sentenced to death for his role in the murder, but his execution date has not been set due to California's moratorium on capital punishment.
Where is Pearl Fernandez now?
Pearl is currently serving a sentence of life without the possibility of parole at Central California Women's Facility after pleading guilty to first-degree murder and murder involving torture in 2018. The plea deal allowed her to avoid the death penalty, but her request for re-sentencing was denied by a judge in 2021. According to Yvette Garcia, who claims to have been a fellow inmate at the same facility, Pearl was subjected to a beating organized by another inmate upon her arrival at the prison. The assault involved using the lid of a tuna can to slice her up, and other inmates threw hot water over her. Angel Annie Medina, who was allegedly behind the assault, passed away in a shooting after being released from prison. Pearl expressed remorse about Gabriel's murder, stating in court before her sentencing that she was sorry for what she did and wished she had made better choices.
Is Pearl Fernandez still alive?
Yes, Pearl Fernandez is still alive. Really, it is impossible to imagine how a mother is able to kill her eight-year-old boy. Gabriel Fernandez suffered abuse and torture for months before his death, and despite reports to social services and law enforcement, he was not protected. This tragedy underscores the need for better training for professionals who work with children, such as teachers and healthcare workers, to recognize signs of child abuse and neglect and report them promptly.
Gabriel's case was reported to social services multiple times, but he was left in the care of his mother and her boyfriend. This shows the danger of ignoring reports of abuse and the importance of taking them seriously, investigating them thoroughly, and taking swift action to protect the child.
Isauro Aguirre was held accountable for his actions and was sentenced to death for his role in Gabriel's murder. This serves as a reminder that justice is important for victims and their families, and for society as a whole.
How old is Pearl Fernandez now?
At 39 years old, Pearl Fernandez has already been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for her involvement in the tragic death of her own son, Gabriel Fernandez. It is a deeply saddening and disturbing thought that a mother could inflict such violence and abuse on her own child, resulting in his untimely death. While Fernandez still has years ahead of her, it is a tragic waste of life that she will spend the rest of her days behind bars, paying the price for her terrible actions. The heartbreaking reality of this case serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting vulnerable children and the need for better training for professionals to recognize and report child abuse and neglect.
Pearl Fernandez Siblings
The privacy of Gabriel Fernandez's siblings, Ezequiel and Virginia, has been requested and respected since the tragedy. Fortunately, according to a documentary, they have found a safe and stable home with a family member, which is crucial to their healing process after experiencing such traumatic events. The psychotherapist involved in the case expressed hope that the siblings will be able to recover, but acknowledges that it will be a long process due to the terrifying experiences they endured. Gabriel's brother and sister revealed that their mother forced them to lie to social workers, and Ezequiel even expressed fear that he too would become a victim of abuse. Despite these difficulties, both Ezequiel and Virginia bravely testified at their mother's boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre's, murder trial.
Where is Pearl Fernandez now - FAQs
Fernandez is a woman who was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for her involvement in the torture and murder of her eight-year-old son, Gabriel Fernandez, in 2013.
Pearl Fernandez was charged with first-degree murder and murder involving torture in connection with the death of her son, Gabriel Fernandez.
Gabriel Fernandez suffered abuse and torture for months at the hands of his mother, Pearl Fernandez, and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, before his death. Despite reports to social services and law enforcement, he was not protected, and he died in May 2013 as a result of his injuries.
In 2018, Pearl Fernandez was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for her role in Gabriel Fernandez's death. She pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and murder involving torture to avoid the death penalty.
Since her sentencing, Pearl Fernandez has remained in prison serving her life sentence. There have been no public updates on her status or any changes to her sentence.