REXBURG, Idaho — Fabian Hernandez, 33, was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for the murder of Ariana Ramos Chavez, a 35-year-old mother of four. District Judge Steven Boyce set parole eligibility after 35 years, with credit for seven months served. Hernandez cried throughout the hearing.
On August 22, Hernandez shot Ramos Chavez multiple times in their home, in front of her children—two his biological kids, two his stepchildren. He faced initial charges of first-degree murder, drug possession, and paraphernalia use. In December, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder under a plea deal, admitting the killing wasn’t planned. Other charges were dropped.
The sentencing included a 911 call from one of Ramos Chavez’s daughters, who saw the shooting. The courtroom grew emotional, pausing the audio briefly. Family members spoke, with her brother telling Hernandez, “You took their mom. Your own kids’ mom.” Her sister shared the pain of losing her.
Defense attorney Jim Archibald said Hernandez’s methamphetamine addiction drove the crime, not anger, claiming Ramos Chavez tried to evict him to protect her kids from drugs. He asked for parole after 10 years. Prosecutor Rob Wood pushed for 45 years before parole, arguing Hernandez stole 45 years of her life.
Hernandez apologized, sobbing, “I gotta pay for what I did,” and called it “justice for Ari.” Boyce cited the crime’s severity—committed before children, with a gun as a felon—before sentencing. Ramos Chavez’s family stressed the loss of a mother and sister.
