Mirjana Puhar receives justice.
Previously reported, in February 2015, fans of “America’s Next Top Model” were shocked by the news of the former contestant’s death and the circumstances surrounding it.
On Feb. 24, 2015, the Serbian model was fatally shot after two alleged robbers entered her boyfriend 23-year-old Jonathan Alvarado’s Charlotte, North Carolina apartment in hopes of raiding his heroine stash, multiple outlets reported at the time. The bodies weren’t discovered until three days later.
On Wednesday, April 5, a North Carolina jury convicted one assailant, Edward Sanchez, on four counts of first-degree murder. Sanchez was also found guilty of the murder of Rosool Harrell, 22, a Xanax dealer who was gunned down three days earlier. Sanchez was sentenced to life in prison without parole stemming from the killings — plus an additional 13-years for attempted murder. Meanwhile, a second alleged robber, 19-year-old Emmanuel Rangel, is set to stand before a judge in relation to the murders of Puhar and her friends, CBS reports.
At trial, prosecutors told jurors Puhar’s blood was recovered from Sanchez’s boots and clothing. In addition, Sanchez’s former girlfriend, Emily Isaacs, testified against him during the trial, recalling an instance where she and Sanchez drove more than 1,000 miles after the killings with the intent to cross the Mexican border. While Issacs too faces one count of first-degree murder, she has yet to stand trial.
Still, both Isaacs and Rangel have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
As fans of “ANTM” know far too well, Puhar won us over with her exotic beauty and street style during cycle 21 of the Tyra Banks-led reality competition, featuring both male and female contestants. She was eliminated in the 10th episode of the season, which aired its finale on Dec. 5, 2014.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the tragic news about Mirjana Puhar. She was a vivacious and promising young woman. Our hearts and prayers go out to her loved ones,” Banks and fellow Top Model executive producer Ken Mok said in a statement at the time.
The winner of cycle 7, CariDee English, also issued her condolences stating, “I am deeply saddened by the news of our ANTM girl, Mirjana Puhar, being killed. Not only was she just starting her life, she left in such a violent way. I send love and healing to her family. To her fans and the public, because she was on ANTM, she was able to touch lives with her story. Please keep her beauty and personality in your hearts by remembering to celebrate her as a young woman who had the courage to chase her dreams for a better life.”
