Husband murders bride just four days after they wed

''' INGÅR EJ I AVTAL ''' Pictured here is: Wendy Trapaga's body Wendy Trapaga was a new blushing bride. After a whirlwind romance with Michel Escoto, she discovered she was pregnant and the pair tied the knot just eight months after meeting. They spent their honeymoon weekend in Key West Florida, not far from their home in MiamiÕs South Beach. After a blissful weekend together they returned home Ð and what had been a happy, celebratory weekend ended in tragedy. For just four days after she wed Michel, WendyÕs beaten and battered body was discovered in an industrial parking lot. Her head had been so bashed in she wasnÕt recognizable from her facial features. Cops didnÕt know if it was a robbery or a drug deal gone bad Ð but soon had a suspect after discovering husband Michel had taken out a $1 million insurance policy on Wendy just before they married. But with no weapon or DNA tying Michel to the scene, they couldnÕt charge him. Several years went by and WendyÕs family decided to take things into their own hands Ð and sued Michel for wrongful death Ð causing him to have to testify. Cops reached out and helped the family with their case Ð and they won, opening the way for Michel to be charged with first degree murder. Prosecutors still didnÕt have a weapon but this time they had something better Ð MichelÕs former girlfriend Yoland Cerrillo who cut a deal to get immunity for testifying against him. After she told a court how she helped plan WendyÕs murder, watched him throw the weapon Ð a tire iron Ð into the sea and then disposed of MichelÕs bloody clothes, it took a jury just two and a half hours to convict him of murder. Escoto was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Ref: F NICLA 050815 A Focus News Agency Los Angeles: + 1 310 962 4153 npittam@focusnewsagency.com *** Local Caption *** 07646693