Former reality-show producer Bruce Beresford-Redman was convicted Thursday in a Mexican court of aggravated murder in the 2010 death of his wife, Monica Burgos, during a family vacation at a posh resort in Cancun.
Following the verdict, Beresford-Redman was immediately sentenced to 12 years in prison, according to a statement from the Mexican Attorney General in Cancun.
His mother told KTLA that Beresford-Redman learned of the verdict in his jail cell and texted his family with the news.
“We are appalled and disgusted with this gross miscarriage of justice,” the family stated in a Facebook post.
“Over an exhausting three and a half year period this trial has done nothing but prove Bruce’s innocence beyond any doubt. Whatever lies behind this ruling it is based on neither facts nor evidence. This is a disservice to Monica’s memory; this is not the justice she and Bruce still deserve and that we continue to demand. At some point, even in Mexico, Bruce’s innocence will lead to his freedom. We will immediately appeal this absurd decision and will not rest until Bruce is exonerated and returned home. This decision must lead to a reconsideration of the extradition treaty between the United States and Mexico as it is clear that Mexico cannot meet even minimal standards of justice. We remain ever grateful to all those who continue to support Bruce.”
The “Survivor” and “Pimp My Ride” producer reported his wife missing on April 6, 2010, telling police and relatives that she never returned to the Moon Palace Hotel after a solo shopping excursion the day before, authorities said.
Burgos’ decomposed body was discovered two days later, badly bruised and naked, in a sewer on the hotel grounds on what would have been her 42nd birthday.
On Thursday, Burgos’ sister expressed relief that “justice had been done.”
“Now my sister can rest in peace,” Carla Burgos said. “I think of her everyday and it’s so good that something actually happened finally.”
The Burgos family believed from the beginning that Beresford-Redman was guilty, claiming that their marriage was in trouble and that the reality-show producer was having an affair, according to family attorney Alison Triessl.
“There was just overwhelming evidence that pointed to his guilt,” Triessl said.
But attorneys representing Beresford-Redman maintained their client was innocent and vowed to appeal.
“After three years in trial, the prosecution was not able to produce any evidence … that my client was responsible,” said defense attorney Jaime Cancino Leon in a telephone interview with KTLA.
After Burgos’ death, Beresford-Redman and the couple’s two young children returned home to Southern California.
But in 2012, Beresford-Redman was extradited to Mexico by U.S. Marshals to face trial.
The couple’s children were being raised by Beresford-Redman’s parents.