by | Published
Darryl Barrera Jr. was sentenced to 35 years in prison on Friday, June 13, 2025, in the 436th Juvenile Court, with Judge William Shaw presiding. The sentence comes after Barrera was found guilty of the brutal murder of Kaitlin Hernandez.
In early 2024, Hernandez and Barrera went for a walk, but Hernandez never returned home. Her body was later discovered unclothed in a drainage ditch beneath a bridge less than a mile from her residence. Autopsy results confirmed she died from strangulation and blunt force trauma to the head. Authorities were able to link Barrera to the crime through DNA evidence found at the scene.
Barrera, who was a juvenile at the time of the murder, was certified as an adult prior to the trial and will now serve his sentence at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales commented on the case: "This case is one that had a profound impact on our community, and today's sentencing reinforces the fact that actions have lasting repercussions. We must remain committed to creating a community where every individual feels safe and valued." Sheriff Joe D. Gonzalez echoed this sentiment.
Case proceedings were led by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ellen Walter and Cynthia Olson of the Bexar County District Attorney's Juvenile Division. They were supported by Victim Advocate Sara Vasquez and Investigator Greg Ojeda.
