← Back to United States casesPatrick De La Cerda, Jessica Devnani, and others Murdered by Gregory Bender and Deara Sanchez, Deltona, Florida, United States
Case Summary
Patrick De La Cerda, a 25-year-old engaged man, was found shot dead in his guest house in Deltona, Florida, on February 27, 2018. The murder was linked to jealousy and threats from his fiancée Jessica Devnani's ex-boyfriend, Gregory Bender, who had been harassing Jessica and threatening Patrick. Bender was arrested shortly after the murder, charged with first-degree murder, and later found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole. The case involved a detailed murder plan by Bender, a restraining order against him, and evidence of stalking and threats. The murder weapon was a high-powered rifle, and the killer attempted to remove evidence but left some shell casings behind. The case highlights a tragic love triangle and the dangers of obsessive jealousy.
Basic Information
Country: United States
State/Province: Florida, United States
City/Region: Deltona
Incident Type: Murder
Relationship Status: Engaged
Relationship Duration: 5 months
Incident Date: Feb. 27, 2018
Relationship Journey
Relationship Origins:
- Met on social media
- Dating app
Relationship Stages:
- Dating
- Engaged
Analysis
Contributing Factors:
- Domestic Violence Allegation
- Domestic Conflict
- Divorce / Separation
Red Flags:
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Secret affair
- Manipulative behavior
- Threats
- Stalking / Repeated Harassment
- Firearm Access / Concerning Weapon Behavior
- Divorce Pending / Recent Separation
Motives:
- Revenge
- Jealousy
- Fear of exposure
- Eliminate romantic rival
Relationship Outcomes:
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide during marriage
- Arrest made
- Weapon recovery
People Link Graph
Relationship Journey Graph
Origin
- Met on social media
- Dating app
How the relationship or connection began.
Status
- Engaged
5 months
Stages
- Dating
- Engaged
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Warning Signals
- Escalation Pattern / Violence
- Secret affair
- Manipulative behavior
- Threats
- Stalking / Repeated Harassment
- Firearm Access / Concerning Weapon Behavior
- Divorce Pending / Recent Separation
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Pressure Points
- Domestic Violence Allegation
- Domestic Conflict
- Divorce / Separation
- Revenge
- Jealousy
- Fear of exposure
- Eliminate romantic rival
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
Incident
2018-02-27
Outcome
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide during marriage
- Arrest made
- Weapon recovery
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
Sources
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Patrick De La Cerda, Jessica Devnani, and others Murdered by Gregory Bender and Deara Sanchez, Deltona, Florida, United States
That Chapter - England · Original language: English
View original title
The Strange Affair of Patrick De La Cerda
AI Intelligence Assessment
Relationship Pattern
Jealousy
Pattern Analysis
The case centers on a jealous ex-partner who could not accept the end of a long-term relationship and the victim's new engagement. The offender engaged in stalking, harassment, and threats, culminating in a planned and executed murder. The relationship dynamics involved obsession, control attempts, and escalating violence typical of jealousy-driven crimes.
Investigative Notes
Police investigated two leads including a neighbor with dementia and the ex-boyfriend Gregory Bender. Bender was arrested quickly after violating a restraining order by calling the victim's fiancée. Evidence included a detailed murder plan notebook, shell casings matching the crime scene, and tracking of burner phones. The offender was convicted and sentenced to life without parole. The case involved removal of security footage hard drives and theft of victim's laptop.
Investigation Confusion
Initial theories included a neighbor with dementia firing shots, but he was in jail at the time of the murder. The offender's defense claimed accidental calls and challenged evidence of stalking. Defense also presented footage alleging victim's fiancée was cheating, which she denied, explaining it was to calm the offender. No confusion about the offender's identity after conviction.
Case Reconstruction / Puzzle Pieces
Patrick was last contacted around 7:15 AM. The offender used a burner phone to pose as a delivery person to gain access or proximity to the property. He shot Patrick multiple times through the front door, stole electronic evidence, but left some shell casings behind. The offender had planned the murder months in advance, including scouting the property and disabling security cameras. The victim's fiancée had a restraining order against the offender due to stalking and threats. The offender was arrested within 48 hours and later convicted.
Risk Assessment
High risk due to documented stalking, threats, restraining order violations, firearm access, and detailed murder planning by the offender.
Key Takeaways
Jealousy and obsession can escalate to lethal violence despite restraining orders. Detailed planning and stalking behaviors are critical warning signs. Removal of security evidence and use of burner phones indicate premeditation. Protective orders and surveillance may not fully prevent violence. Early intervention in stalking cases is vital.
AI Case Q&A
What early signals mattered most?
Repeated stalking, threatening messages, restraining order issuance, and firearm possession by the offender were key early signals.
Which clues helped connect the case?
Threatening voicemails, detailed murder plan notebook, burner phone calls posing as delivery, and removal of security footage were crucial clues.
Which evidence types appeared strongest?
Physical evidence included shell casings matching the murder weapon, the offender's notebook with plans, phone call records, and surveillance footage from private detectives.
Witness / Eyewitness Statements
Jessica Devnani reported harassment and threats from Gregory Bender. Max's girlfriend discovered the victim's body. Deara Sanchez, Bender's wife, provided information about the murder plan notebook. Neighbors reported prior gunshots from a different neighbor with dementia. No other eyewitnesses reported.
How did follow-up reports change the understanding?
Defense presented footage alleging infidelity by Jessica, which she denied, explaining it was to calm the offender. The offender appealed in 2023 but the appeal was denied.
What remained unclear?
Exact details of how the offender accessed the property without triggering alarms remain unclear. The whereabouts of the murder weapon beyond shell casings found is not fully detailed.