A jury has found Elvia Cabrera guilty of first-degree murder and weapons violations in connection with the August 2025 killing of 16-year-old Gabriela Nicole Pratts, according to Telemundo Utah. The verdict, delivered Thursday, July 23, 2026, follows a trial regarding Cabrera's alleged complicity in the fatal stabbing of the teenager in Aibonito, Puerto Rico.
Jury Deliberates Verdict
The jury, composed of seven women and five men, reached its decision after deliberating behind closed doors. Before the verdict was announced, Judge Luis Barreto Altieri had warned those in attendance that no altercations or disturbances would be tolerated once the jury reported its decision. The deliberation process was briefly interrupted when the jury submitted a note to the court regarding a doubt, prompting officials to call the parties back into the courtroom before resuming the discussion.
Cabrera Convicted of Murder
According to the Puerto Rico Prosecutor's Office, Cabrera acted in agreement with her daughter, Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera, to kill the minor. Cabrera was charged with first-degree murder and the illegal possession and use of a bladed weapon. Following the verdict, the mother of Gabriela Nicole Pratts and other family members traveled to the site of the killing, the Roberto Colón turnout, to honor the victim.
Confession During Preliminary Hearing
The legal proceedings for the Cabrera family began significantly earlier during preliminary hearings. During a hearing held on February 12, 2026, at the Aibonito Court, a witness testified that Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera confessed to the stabbing. The witness, a friend of both the defendant and the victim, told the court that Avilés Cabrera said, "Gaba, Gaba... I stabbed her," while crying and showing hands stained with blood.
Witness Testimony Details Assault
During that February hearing, Bethzaida Caratini, the political aunt of Pratts, testified about the events leading to the death. Caratini described a series of arguments between the sisters of the defendant and the sister of the victim, noting that Gabriela intervened to defend her relative. Caratini testified that she saw Elvia Cabrera pull a sharp object from a purse and hand it to Avilés Cabrera. Following the physical altercation, Caratini reported that the victim stopped responding.
Fatal August 2025 Attack
The murder of Gabriela Nicole occurred near midnight on August 11, 2025, at the Roberto Colón turnout. The attack, which involved a fatal stabbing, arose from a dispute among a group of young women. Both Anthonieska Avilés Cabrera and Elvia Cabrera were previously found to have sufficient cause for trial, with the court imposing a $1 million bond for each woman.
Next Legal Steps
The sentencing hearing for Elvia Cabrera is scheduled for September 10, 2026. While the jury has rendered its verdict, Cabrera's family maintains her innocence. The case continues to be a focal point for the community in Puerto Rico as the legal process moves toward final sentencing.
Legal Challenges and Evidence
The legal battle has been marked by various motions and testimonies, including attempts by defense attorneys to call the Secretary of Justice as a witness and the presentation of voice messages from Avilés Cabrera's sister as potential exculpatory evidence. The court has moved through the stages of preliminary hearings and a full trial to reach the current conviction.
