Sabrina Herrera was a 19-year-old woman who had a bright future ahead of her. She was a student at Elkins High School in Missouri City, Texas, where she was loved by her friends and family. She had a long-term relationship with Troy Parker, a 20-year-old man who she had met in high school. However, on August 27, 2018, Sabrina’s life came to a tragic end when Parker strangled her to death and stuffed her body in the trunk of her car.
The Murder
According to Fort Bend County Home, Sabrina went to Parker’s house on the afternoon of August 27, 2018. At some point during her visit, Sabrina went into the kitchen area and Parker followed behind her. Once she reached the kitchen, Parker grabbed a cord from atop the refrigerator and strangled Sabrina to death. The defendant then placed his victim’s body into the trunk of her car and drove around his neighborhood until he reached a dead end street. Parker then abandoned the vehicle.
The Discovery
Sabrina’s family became concerned because she was not returning her phone calls and failed to pick up her relatives from school that afternoon. Using Sabrina’s iPhone location, the family was able to locate her car in the 1600 block of Bent Oak Drive. The victim’s family called the Missouri City Police Department once the car was found. When the police arrived, they opened the trunk to the car and Sabrina’s body was discovered. Parker was subsequently interviewed and he eventually gave a full confession to the crime. However, the defendant never provided a clear motive as to why he murdered Sabrina.
The Sentence
Parker pleaded guilty to murder earlier this year and requested that the court determine his punishment. On October 5, 2019, he was sentenced to 45 years in prison and fined $10,000 by 240th District Court Judge Frank J. Fraley. District Attorney Brian Middleton stated, “Our community is safer with Troy Parker in prison. The circumstances of this horrible crime should raise the public’s awareness of the seriousness of domestic violence. I encourage parents and young adults to become informed about the warning signs of domestic abuse.
The Legacy
Sabrina’s death shocked and saddened her community, especially her classmates at Elkins High School. Hundreds of students gathered outside Sugar Land Town Square on August 30, 2018, to honor her memory and demand justice for her. They held signs that read “Justice for Sabrina” and “Sabrina Strong”. They also released balloons into the sky as a tribute to their friend.
Sabrina’s death also highlighted the issue of dating violence among young people. According to Click2Houston, Sabrina’s family said that they were unaware of any problems in her relationship with Parker and that they seemed happy together. However, they also said that they noticed some changes in Sabrina’s behavior in the weeks before her death, such as being more withdrawn and less talkative. They urged other parents to pay attention to their children’s relationships and look for any signs of abuse or control.
As part of Sabrina’s lasting legacy, Elkins High School now makes dating violence awareness a part of their counseling services. They also have a scholarship fund in Sabrina’s name that helps students pursue their dreams.
Sabrina Herrera was a young woman who had a lot to offer to the world. She was taken away too soon by someone who claimed to love her. Her cause of death was not only a tragedy but also a wake-up call for everyone to be more aware of the dangers of dating violence and how to prevent it. Sabrina Herrera will always be remembered as a beautiful soul who touched many lives.
