A former contestant from Love Is Blind: Argentina has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to kill his ex-partner, whom he met on the show.
Santiago Martínez was handed the sentence on Wednesday (March 25) after being convicted of attempted murder, repeated assault, and unlawful detention.
He had joined the Netflix dating series in 2024 at age 29, where he met Emily, and the pair had even been planning a small, intimate wedding before things took a serious turn in their relationship and Martínez’s behavior.
The allegations and conviction of the Love is Blind contestant
In February 2025, Emily reported Martínez for gender-based violence after appearing with a black eye, which led to the end of their engagement, The Mirror reports. A restraining order was issued, and Martínez was subsequently removed from streaming platforms once the allegations became public.
Prosecutors had pushed for a 16-year sentence, but Martínez ultimately received 15 years after a proposed plea deal, which would have reduced his sentence, was rejected.
Following the verdict, Emily said she was overwhelmed with relief, explaining that it finally felt like the ordeal was behind her and that she could begin to move on.
She also spoke about the moment she came face to face with Martínez again at sentencing, describing how frightened she felt, with her body trembling. She noted that during his remarks, he issued an apology and told her he still loved her.
Emily’s response after securing a conviction
Emily chose not to respond directly to the conviction of her former partner-turned-abuser, but said her brother confronted him, questioning how he could claim to love her while nearly killing her and attacking her so violently.
Looking ahead, she said the sentence offers some reassurance but does not fully ease her concerns. She explained that while the next 15 years bring a sense of security, she remains uncertain about what will happen after his release and hopes the justice system will continue to keep her safe.
