Arizona domestic violence suspect sentenced to life in prison

PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A man has learned his fate after pleading guilty to multiple domestic violence crimes.

On Saturday, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced that 49-year-old Eric Pastrano has been sentenced to life in prison for domestic violence against his ex-wife in 2023.

On April 2, 2023, Pastrano left a voicemail to his ex-wife, saying he would “bathe her in blood,” and also threatened her life in numerous text messages. He later showed up at her home but left when he saw she had a gun. Officials say the victim’s daughter and granddaughter were home at the time, hid in the bathroom and called police.

Just a month later, on May 9, Pastrano reportedly returned to his ex-wife’s home wearing a balaclava and body armor. He broke into the home and shot at the victim’s bedroom door, narrowly missing her. Pastrano then entered the bedroom, where he pistol-whipped her and strangled her.

“Living in fear for your life is no way to live,” Mitchell said. “The relief this conviction brings to this victim – knowing her perpetrator will never leave prison – is the best outcome for our office.”

Pastrano was a prohibited possessor during these crimes due to previous felony convictions in December 1995, June 2011 and July 2022. These were violent crimes, including an aggravated assault against his ex-wife.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233 for anyone experiencing abuse.

To learn more about the resources available in the Valley for victims of domestic violence, click here.

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