Alyssa Sanchez: Washington mom claims voices told her to kill daughter and herself to secure place in heaven

The judge ordered that Sanchez undergo a mental illness assessment by a professional at the jail
PUBLISHED MAR 2, 2024
Alyssa Sanchez told police that she had stabbed her daughter to death in the backseat of her Toyota Camry on Feb. 14 (Getty Images)
Alyssa Sanchez told police that she had stabbed her daughter to death in the backseat of her Toyota Camry on Feb. 14 (Getty Images)

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

DARRINGTON, WASHINGTON: Alyssa Sanchez, a 30-year-old mother, confessed to police that disturbing voices compelled her to stab her 5-year-old daughter to death and bury the body in a neighbor's yard.

The tragic episode came to light when police responded to a call from Sanchez herself, who admitted to the gruesome act at her home off Commercial Avenue.

Alyssa Sanchez recounts horrifying details of daughter's murder

Sanchez detailed the horrifying sequence, stating that she fatally stabbed her daughter in the backseat of her Toyota Camry on February 14. After discarding the murder weapon in a dumpster, she concealed her daughter's lifeless body under blankets in the car for several days.

Days after the alleged crime, investigators discovered that Sanchez had sought assistance from a friend to purchase a shovel, indicating her intent to bury the child. She later admitted to burying her daughter's body in her neighbor's front yard, driven by the fear that the decomposing remains would emit a foul odor, according to Washington State police.

Mother claims disturbing voices guided shocking actions

Concerned family members, who hadn't seen the child since February 14, raised the alarm, leading to the police intervention. Sanchez claimed that the disturbing voices she heard identified her as a 'demon', 'the devil', and 'the messiah' with occasional communication from her ancestors.

The voices allegedly dictated that she needed to kill her daughter and herself to secure a place in heaven.

Alyssa Sanchez faces possible life sentence if found guilty

Law enforcement recovered the child's body on Wednesday morning, February 28, accompanied by a significant amount of blood in Sanchez's Camry. The Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause of the child's death.

Sanchez now faces first-degree domestic violence murder charges, having been booked into the Snohomish County Jail on Tuesday. During a court hearing on Wednesday, Judge Tam Bui set bail at $5 million, reflecting the severity of the charges.

Additionally, the judge ordered a mental illness assessment for Sanchez during her jail stay. If found guilty, she could potentially face a life sentence in prison.

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