39 years old Craig J. Charron was found guilty of killing his ex-girlfriend Laura Sardinha and received a sentence ranging from 26 years to life in prison. After she changed the locks on her apartment to prevent him from entering and obtained a restraining order against him, he broke into her house.
Laura, 25, had been studying psychology online in order to provide counseling to women who were in violent situations. In the background, she wanted to leave the violent relationship as soon as possible because she felt imprisoned in it herself.
As reported by TheLos Angeles Times, Charron had perforated her eardrum in an earlier attack, which forced her to cut off ties with him and obtain a restraining order against him. Regretfully, Charron chose to defy her since he couldn’t accept no.
Laura also videotaped herself pleading with him to leave her home on the morning of her death, September 2, 2020. In the recording, she stated, “You terrify me because you don’t leave.”
She ignored all of the calls and texts he sent her after he departed. Rather, she restyled her hair to avoid him. He still broke in, though.
Laura apparently called her mother and best friend as soon as she got home at 1:15 p.m. local time. But as soon as she spotted Charron inside her flat, the call was cut off. She cried out in terror, “Oh my god, he’s here!” according to The Times.
Her friend then ended the call to dial 911. But Laura contacted her back, leaving a 37-second voicemail in which she screamed, “He’s going to kill me!” and leave me alone!
“If you listen to it carefully, you hear a woman narrating her own murder,” Orange County Deputy DA Janine Madera stated in her closing argument when the voicemail was played throughout the trial.
After her friend called 911, Laura was discovered dead in her flat after being stabbed twice in the chest and almost having her nose severed. Judge Michael Cassidy of Orange County Superior Court described Charron’s assault on Laura as vicious and senseless, and he sentenced the convicted individual to the maximum amount allowed by law.
According to the complaint, Charron showed no regret or apology for his acts. Marie Sardinha, Laura’s mother, told the judge that her daughter only wished to be free from the torture and abuse. It is not appropriate for this man to be in public. You should never let him go.
The guiltyCalifornia man described himself as an Air Force veteran and was reportedly receiving psychiatric treatment at the VA. Charron was bleeding from cuts to his neck and chest, and Laura was discovered dead. Charron’s injuries, according to the prosecution, were self-harm. According to Deputy DA Janine Madera, it makes no difference if she defended herself or if he caused his own injuries. 100% of the time, he was the one who was attacking.
She continued, “You don’t hear the defendant on it, and his silence is absolutely deafening,” alluding to the eerie voicemail. He’s taking his time murdering her.
Craig Charron vs. California The sentence ranges from 26 years to life in prison for murder.When her boyfriend fatally stabbed Laura Sardinha, she was on the phone.https://t.co/WYA1MLDdcT#life#girlfriend#truecrimepic.twitter.com/AXtVm0Mp0M
July 27, 2025, American Crime Stories (@AmericanCrime01)
Three of Charron’s former girlfriends testified against him and accused him of abuse throughout the trial. They all claimed that he had abused them at some point during their relationship and had secured restraining orders against him.
Manuel Sardinha, the victim’s father, informed the judge that he was a Vietnam veteran himself and recommended that Charron not receive any leniency because he was a veteran.
Disclaimer: Visit the Hotline.org or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 if you are a victim of domestic abuse. Every call is private and toll-free.
