Gaithersburg woman convicted of murdering boyfriend in fatal stabbing

Gaithersburg woman convicted of murdering boyfriend in fatal stabbing

November 22, 2024
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MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — A Gaithersburg woman has been found guilty of murdering her 20-year-old boyfriend after stabbing him to death during an argument in 2023, officials announced Friday.

Jennifer Espinoza-Orellana, 22, was convicted by a grand jury for the murder of Jose Manuel Zavala Marquez. According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, the jury deliberated for 90 minutes before returning the guilty verdict.

The fatal incident occurred on September 10, 2023, when Espinoza-Orellana and Marquez got into an argument at her home in the 8000 block of Shady Spring Drive. Investigators revealed that she followed Marquez outside and stabbed him in the chest with a kitchen knife, with the blade piercing his heart.

After the stabbing, Espinoza-Orellana drove Marquez’s body to a family member’s home and waited at least four hours before taking him to Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center in Rockville, where he was pronounced dead.

Espinoza-Orellana faces up to 40 years in prison and is scheduled for sentencing on April 4, 2025. The case has drawn widespread attention for its disturbing details and tragic outcome.

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Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

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Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

Degrees: Business B.A. - Stockton University

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