Fond du Lac woman receives life sentence after prison cellmate homicide

Wisconsin Court System

FOND DU LAC, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Trevor woman has been convicted of first-degree intentional homicide in the death of her cellmate at Taycheedah Correctional Institution.

According to a criminal complaint, 28-year-old Taylor Sanchez is accused of killing the victim on July 19, 2023 in cell 410 of the Fond du Lac prison. The complaint claims that Sanchez used her hands and feet to beat the victim, causing extensive skull and rib fractures.

An autopsy found "innumerable" skull fractures and 34 rib breaks.

Witness inmates cited in the complaint hearing rhythmic banging and noted Sanchez appeared calm when removed from the cell. Body camera footage captured Sanchez stating, "I hit her with my hands and my feet," and referencing voices telling her to kill.

Surveillance showed no one else entered the cell. A note allegedly written by Sanchez expressed violent thoughts. In a later phone call, she reportedly told her mother, "I beat up somebody and they died," adding she had stopped taking medication and was hearing voices.

Sanchez was sentenced to life in prison without the eligibility for release after Judge Tricia Walker noted that "this was an attack that was wholly vicious," according to a Monday, July 28 press release.

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