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The judicial case of Derek Rosa, the teenager from Hialeah who pleaded guilty to murdering his mother, has reached an epilogue with the release of a brief handwritten message from the convicted minor.
After months of media attention, public speculation, and legal debates, Derek has sent a message through his lawyer that marks the closure of the case:
"Thank you to everyone who helped in my case."
Signed as Derek Steven Rosa and dated January 19, 2026, the text was shared on the Instagram account of lawyer Dayliset Rielo.
In just one line, the teenager - now 15 years old - broke the silence after accepting his guilt in exchange for a 25-year prison sentence.
The defense's statement: Dignity, not spectacle
Along with Derek's message, his lawyer Dayliset Rielo published a strong statement written in both English and Spanish.
In it, she defended the legal handling of the case, rejected media sensationalism, and called for respect for the minor's family.
"As a defense attorney, we handle this case with purpose, determination, and unyielding legal rigor, and the record speaks for itself, unequivocally, louder than any rumor or headline," she noted.
Rielo emphasized that this process should not be treated as entertainment.
“This is not a media spectacle nor a story for public consumption; it is about the life of a child and his family, and that truth demands dignity, respect, and responsibility,” he added.
At the same time, he emphasized his commitment to the principles of the judicial system.
"The due process is non-negotiable; it is the fundamental basis of our justice system, and I will defend it without apologies or concessions, regardless of public pressure or outcry," he stated
Finally, he made it clear that he will not be making any immediate new statements
"For now, this is the last statement I will make on this page about Derek Rosa; the rest of this story, including future statements, will be shared along with Derek and his family when they are ready and feel it is the right time."
The vision of the prosecution: An irreversible tragedy
The state attorney for Miami-Dade County, Katherine Fernandez Rundle, also responded recently to the case closure with a strong statement:
"With today's guilty plea, Derek Rosa admitted what he had already told a 911 operator and what he had confessed to police detectives: that he murdered his mother. The pain that Irina García endured from the 46 stab wounds could only be surpassed by the certainty that the person who killed her was her own son," the prosecutor stated firmly.
"The conclusion of this criminal case does not diminish the profound tragedy of Derek's actions. By taking his mother's life, he also robbed himself of much of his own future," he concluded.
A case marked by horror
The crime took place on October 12, 2023, in the apartment he shared with his mother, Irina García, in Hialeah. Derek was 13 years old at the time. According to the investigation, he stabbed his mother while she was sleeping. He then called 911, confessed to what had happened, and surrendered without resistance.
A baby monitor reportedly recorded the child standing over his mother's body. In court, on the day of his guilty plea, he managed to say a brief "I'm sorry" to his family.
During the court proceedings, disturbing details emerged about Derek's behavior prior to the crime. According to the prosecutors, the young man had exhibited an obsession with extreme violence.
He shared with friends his desire to be like Jason, the fictional character from Friday the 13th, and sent his girlfriend a video about a suicide that led the girl to end the relationship.
On the day of the murder, Rosa conducted internet searches such as: “What is the best place to stab someone?” and “Can a knife cut through bone?”
For the prosecution, these elements were crucial to support the original charge of first-degree murder. However, just a few days before the trial was set to begin, the defense and the prosecution reached an agreement that averted the oral hearing.
In addition to the 25-year prison sentence, the agreement included a restraining order prohibiting Derek from approaching his stepfather and his little sister. This measure aims to protect what remains of the family unit and minimize further trauma.
The case of Derek Rosa has been, from the beginning, a devastating combination of violence, youth, silence, and public exposure. The note published this week does not resolve the questions that still surround the case, but it leaves an emotional mark:
"Thank you to everyone who helped with my case."
A terse phrase that, coming from a young person sentenced for such a brutal crime, can be interpreted as a sign of remorse, resignation, or simply closure.
The lawyer has already made it clear that the rest of the story, if it is told, will be when her client and his family are ready.
For now, the only certainty is that Derek Rosa's life—and that of those around him—has changed forever.
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