A reality-TV romance that began with the premise of emotional connection has ended in a criminal sentence. Santiago Martínez, a former participant on Love Is Blind: Argentina, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after attempting to murder his ex-wife, Emily Ceco.
Martínez appeared on the dating series in 2024, where he became engaged to Ceco before they had seen each other in person, in keeping with the show’s format. The pair later married in a civil ceremony and were planning a second wedding celebration when Ceco ended the relationship in February 2025.
Ceco alleged that Martínez had physically abused her and had given her a black eye. He was later charged with attempted murder, repeated assault, and unlawful detention, according to People.
Ceco described the attack on Argentine public television
After the sentencing, Ceco spoke on Argentina’s public broadcaster Televisión Pública, where she described Martínez choking her and smothering her with a pillow so she could not breathe.
She said he would not allow her to leave, prompting her to run away and file a complaint. During the broadcast, Ceco repeatedly said Martínez “tried to kill me.”
Ceco said the sentence brought an immediate physical reaction.
“My body was shaking. I felt like I had taken a backpack off my shoulders and that I was going to have peace after a long time. I was going to be able to sleep and continue with my life…and be able to enjoy life like I fought for,” she said.
Martínez denied trying to kill her during the trial
During the trial, Martínez posted statements on social media denying that he had attempted to kill Ceco. The posts have since been deleted.
“The first thing I want to say is that I do not justify violence in any way, and I was the first to acknowledge my mistake and to apologise privately, and today I take responsibility for what I did,” he wrote.
“But that does not mean I take responsibility for trying to kill the woman I loved.”
Ceco says she is “still trying to understand everything”
Following the sentencing, Ceco also posted a statement on Instagram, saying she was “still trying to understand everything.”
“It’s not just a closure…is to remove a story that marked me deeply. There were days of so much fear, of feeling lost, of not knowing how to go on. And there was also something in me that, even in the darkest moments, chose not to give up,” she wrote.
She thanked her family, supporters, and legal team for standing with her through the case.
“But I wasn’t alone. And that’s what I feel the strongest today. Thank you to my family, for holding me even when I couldn’t hold myself. Thank you to every person who wrote to me, who hugged me with words, who didn’t let go of me. Thanks to those who, without knowing me, chose to accompany me anyway. And especially, thank you to my attorneys, for walking through this process with me, for delivering, for patience, and for never giving up on me.”
Ceco added: “This doesn’t erase the experience. But today I feel like a part of my story was heard. I… still healing, more aware, stronger, and deeply grateful. Today my life begins anew.”
If you need support
If you are in immediate danger, contact emergency services in your area.
In the UK, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline, run by Refuge, is available on 0808 2000 247. Men can contact the Men’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0327. LGBT+ people can contact Galop on 0800 999 5428.
