A former participant on Love Is Blind: Argentina has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of trying to kill his ex from the series.
Santiago Martínez was convicted last week of attempted murder, repeated assault and unlawful detention, receiving a long custodial sentence.
Martínez appeared on the Netflix reality show in 2024, when he was 29.
During the season, he formed a relationship with Emily Ceco, who was 24 at the time. After the show ended with a civil ceremony, the pair began organising a smaller, more private wedding celebration.
Ceco later alleged that as their plans progressed, Martínez’s behaviour towards her changed.
In February 2025, she reported him for gender-based violence after suffering a black eye, and the engagement was called off.
A court later issued a restraining order preventing Martínez from approaching Ceco in public, and he was also removed from the TV series.
On March 25, Martínez was given a 15-year prison sentence for the offences.
Prosecutors had pushed for 16 years, and they rejected a defence plea agreement that would have reduced the term, according to reporting by Creatorzine, which was quoted in The Mirror.
After the ruling, Ceco said that while the decision brought her some relief, she remained anxious about what could happen after Martínez is released.
“I have 15 years of peace ahead,” she said. “I don’t know what will happen when he gets out, but I hope the justice system continues to protect me.
“If he tried to kill me when I gave him everything, I can’t imagine what he might do to me or my family after 15 years of anger.”
She also told local Argentinean media: “I can’t believe it. I feel it’s over, I’m finally going to have peace. Justice has been done.”
Ceco testified in court, where she again came face-to-face with Martínez.
“My whole body was shaking,” she said. “I was terrified. During his statement, he apologised and said he still loved me.
“I didn’t respond, but my brother went too far and told him, ‘If you loved her so much, why did you almost kill her? You beat her up – coward’.”
Following Martínez’s sentencing, Ceco posted a message on Instagram.
She wrote: “Sentence was announced yesterday. And I’m still trying to understand everything that moves inside me. 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.
“But I wasn’t alone. And that’s what I feel the strongest today.”
She added: “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.
“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.”
LADbible Group has approached Netflix and Emily Ceco’s representatives for comment.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence 24 hours a day to the national domestic violence helpline on 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) 24/7. You can find a list of local resources here.