On February 12, 2023, in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, 38-year-old Carla Pina was shot and killed inside the couple’s Darling Street home. The shooting happened about 5:45 a.m. after Pina returned from an evening at a casino with friends.

Sanmartin was taken into custody immediately and charged with criminal homicide, endangering the welfare of a child, and recklessly endangering another person. Prosecutors later offered a plea to third-degree murder with a 20 to 40 year sentence, which he declined; at trial in October 2024 the jury convicted him of third-degree murder, endangering the welfare of a child, and two counts of reckless endangerment, and acquitted him of first-degree murder. Sentencing was scheduled for December 17, 2024. A GoFundMe was created to assist Pina’s four children with funeral costs and future needs.

Anyone who knew Carla Pina or has information about the case is asked to come forward.