WISCONSIN DELLS, WI – A Wisconsin man has been sentenced to four decades in prison for the death of his pregnant girlfriend, whose remains were discovered in a suitcase at an abandoned farmhouse. The sentencing brings a measure of closure to a case that has haunted the community since the victim, Rosaly Cindy Chavarria Rodriguez, went missing over three years ago.
Jose Eduardo Dominguez-Garcia, 27, was handed a 40-year sentence by Chippewa County Circuit Judge James M. Isaacson. The sentence includes 25 years of initial confinement and 15 years of extended supervision. Dominguez-Garcia had earlier pleaded no contest to first-degree reckless homicide, leading to the dismissal of charges related to the homicide of an unborn child and hiding a corpse.
Chavarria Rodriguez’s remains were found in October 2020, inside a purple suitcase in a dilapidated farmhouse, months after her disappearance. The grim discovery shocked the Wisconsin Dells community, as it involved not just the young woman but her unborn child. Her father, Jorge Chavarria, expressed disappointment over the sentencing, having hoped for a maximum penalty of 60 years.
The victim’s family has struggled with grief and the inability to provide a proper burial for Chavarria Rodriguez, who leaves behind a 9-year-old daughter residing in Peru with her grandmother. The court’s recent decision to release the remains may offer some solace as they seek to honor her memory.
The tragedy began in July 2020 when Chavarria Rodriguez was last seen working at a local restaurant. After her disappearance, suspicions fell on Dominguez-Garcia. In December 2021, murder charges were filed against him, though he had fled the state. His eventual arrest came in November 2023 in Gladstone, Missouri, where local police apprehended him following a traffic incident involving a stolen vehicle registration.
The investigation revealed a disturbing timeline. Dominguez-Garcia allegedly collected Chavarria Rodriguez’s final paycheck after claiming they had broken up amid accusations of infidelity and doubts about the paternity of her unborn child. Nearly a year later, with help from a tip-off in a separate drug case, authorities located her remains, finally confirming her identity.
Throughout the proceedings, the family emphasized Chavarria Rodriguez’s character—a responsible young woman dedicated to her studies and her family. Her father spoke of the loss and the enduring heartbreak, hoping that her life and untimely death will be remembered for who she was, beyond the tragic circumstances.
Dominguez-Garcia is barred from contacting the victim’s family under the sentencing conditions. The case underscores ongoing challenges in achieving justice for victims and their families, especially in crimes involving domestic violence.
The community continues to grapple with the impact of such loss while advocates stress the need for preventive measures and support systems for families affected by similar tragedies.