The story of Pedro Bravo, the convicted killer of his friend and love rival Christian Aguilar, is one of the most shocking and tragic cases in recent history. But what about the parents of Bravo, who raised him and witnessed his downfall?
How have they coped with the aftermath of their son’s crime and the life sentence he received? This article will explore the lives of Pedro Bravo Sr. and Azucena Duque, the parents of Pedro, and how they have dealt with the consequences of their son’s actions.
The Background of Pedro Bravo and His Parents
Pedro was born in 1994 in Miami, Florida, to Pedro Bravo Sr. and Azucena Duque, immigrants from Colombia. He grew up in a middle-class family and attended Doral Academy, a charter school in Miami. He was described by his friends and teachers as a smart, friendly, and artistic student, who excelled in academics and extracurricular activities. He was also in love with Erika Friman, his high school sweetheart, whom he met in ninth grade.
However, things changed for Bravo when he and Friman broke up right before they graduated high school in 2012. Friman moved to Gainesville, Florida, to attend Santa Fe Community College, while Bravo enrolled at Miami Dade College.
Friman soon started dating Christian Aguilar, a freshman at the University of Florida and a former friend of Bravo from high school. Bravo was devastated by the news and became depressed and obsessed with Friman. He wrote about his feelings in a journal and tried to win her back.
In September 2012, Bravo decided to visit Friman in Gainesville and arranged a meeting with Aguilar, claiming he wanted to talk and clear the air. However, according to the prosecution, Bravo had a sinister plan to kill Aguilar and get rid of his body. He allegedly poisoned and strangled Aguilar in his car and then drove to a remote area in Levy County, where he buried him in a shallow grave. He then lied to the police and Friman about his whereabouts and involvement in Aguilar’s disappearance.
Aguilar was reported missing on September 20, 2012, and a massive search effort was launched to find him. Bravo was arrested and charged with his murder on September 28, 2012, after the police found several pieces of evidence linking him to the crime, such as security camera footage, a Gatorade bottle with sleeping pills, tape, blood, and a shovel. Aguilar’s body was discovered on October 12, 2012, by hunters in the woods.
The Trial and Conviction of Pedro Bravo
Pedro Bravo’s trial began in August 2014 and lasted for two weeks. The prosecution presented a strong case against him, portraying him as a jealous and manipulative killer who planned and executed the murder of his friend over a girl. They also showed the jury Bravo’s journal entries, where he expressed his hatred for Aguilar and his desire to harm him. They also played a recorded phone call between Bravo and Friman, where he confessed to killing Aguilar and asked for her forgiveness.
Bravo’s defense team argued that he was innocent and that he did not intend to kill Aguilar. They claimed that he and Aguilar had a fight in the car, but that he left him alive on the side of the road. They also suggested that Aguilar may have died of natural causes or been killed by someone else. They also questioned the credibility and reliability of some of the evidence and witnesses presented by the prosecution.
The jury deliberated for about three hours and found Pedro Bravo guilty of first-degree murder and six other counts, including kidnapping, poisoning, and tampering with evidence. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was also ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution to Aguilar’s family.
The Reaction and Support of Pedro Bravo’s Parents
Throughout the trial and sentencing, Bravo’s parents, Pedro Bravo Sr. and Azucena Duque, stood by their son and supported him. They attended every court hearing and visited him in jail. They also maintained his innocence and expressed their disbelief and sorrow over the verdict and the sentence. They said that they loved their son and that he was not a monster or a killer.
Bravo Sr. and Azucena Duque also spoke to the media and gave interviews to various outlets, such as ABC News and the Gainesville Sun. They said that they wanted to share their side of the story and show the world that their son was a good person who made a mistake. They also said that they wanted to reach out to Aguilar’s family and offer their condolences and apologies. They said that they felt their pain and that they hoped for forgiveness and reconciliation.
Pedro Sr. and Azucena Duque also appealed their son’s conviction and sentence, claiming that he did not receive a fair trial and that there were errors and misconduct by the judge, the jury, and the prosecution. They hired new lawyers and filed a motion for a new trial in 2015, but it was denied by the court. They then filed an appeal with the Florida First District Court of Appeal in 2016, but it was also denied in 2018. They have not given up on their son’s case and have vowed to continue fighting for his freedom.
Pedro Bravo’s Parents’ Details
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Pedro Bravo and Erika Friman break up | Spring 2012 |
| Erika Friman starts dating Christian Aguilar | Summer 2012 |
| Pedro visits Gainesville and meets Christian Aguilar | September 20, 2012 |
| Christian Aguilar is reported missing | September 20, 2012 |
| Bravo is arrested and charged with murder | September 28, 2012 |
| Christian Aguilar’s body is discovered | October 12, 2012 |
| Pedro Bravo’s trial begins | August 2014 |
| Bravo is found guilty and sentenced to life in prison | August 2014 |
| Bravo’s parents appeal his conviction and sentence | 2015-2018 |
The Current Status and Future of Pedro Bravo’s Parents
Pedro Sr. and Azucena Duque are currently living in Miami, Florida, where they work and take care of their other son, Daniel Bravo, who is 18 years old. They are still in contact with Pedro, who is serving his life sentence at the Taylor Correctional Institution in Perry, Florida. They visit him regularly and talk to him on the phone. They also send him letters, books, and art supplies, as he likes to draw and paint in prison.
Bravo Sr. and Azucena Duque are also involved in various activities and causes that aim to help and support other families and individuals who are affected by crime and incarceration. They are members of the Florida CURE (Citizens United for Rehabilitation of Errants), a nonprofit organization that advocates for the rights and welfare of prisoners and their families. They also participate in the Bridges to Life program, a restorative justice initiative that brings together victims and offenders of violent crimes to share their stories and experiences and promote healing and forgiveness.
Bravo Sr. and Azucena Duque have also expressed their interest and willingness to meet with Aguilar’s family and have a dialogue with them. They said that they respect their feelings and decisions, but that they hope to have a chance to talk to them and apologize in person. They said that they want to honor Aguilar’s memory and legacy and that they pray for his soul and his family’s peace.
Pedro Sr. and Azucena Duque have faced a lot of challenges and hardships since their son’s arrest and conviction. They have endured the loss of their son’s freedom, the public scrutiny and criticism, and the emotional and financial toll of the legal process. They have also suffered the pain and guilt of knowing that their son was responsible for the death of another young man, who was once his friend.
However, they have also shown resilience and strength in coping with the situation and supporting their son. They have also shown compassion and humility in reaching out to the victim’s family and seeking forgiveness and reconciliation. They have also shown hope and faith in pursuing their son’s appeal and justice. Pedro Sr. and Azucena Duque are the parents of Bravo, but they are also much more than that. They are human beings who have a story to tell and a message to share.
