In the quiet suburb of Geneva, Illinois, no one suspected that something so devastating could begin with something as ordinary as a smoothie.
But in late January 2016, Julia L. Gutierrez, age 53, gave her husband, Eduardo, a blended drink with a deadly twist. Temazepam, a powerful prescription sedative, was mixed in.
Hours later, Eduardo was found lifeless, and Julia was upstairs, barely conscious, having apparently taken the same substance in an attempt to follow him. A note beside her read, “I love him so much. Please forgive me… hope to see you in heaven.” Her words sounded like heartbreak, but the law called it murder.
She was charged with first-degree homicide.
A mental health evaluation revealed she had somatic symptom disorder and depression.
Julia pleaded guilty but mentally ill on April 27, 2017.
She was sentenced to 22 years in prison, with no possibility of parole.
The court acknowledged her mental health struggles, but the weight of her actions couldn’t be ignored.
Her late husband’s family, overwhelmed with sorrow, filed a wrongful death lawsuit. A love story had turned into a tragedy that no one, not even Julia, could take back.
She will be eligible for parole on January 20th, 2038
DOB:
August 3rd, 1962Conviction(s):
- Guilty but mentally ill to first-degree murder
Date of crime:
January 26-28, 2016Location(s):
Geneva, ILDate of arrest:
January 28th, 2016Details:
Killed her husband by giving him a smoothie laced with temazepam.Confirmed Victim(s):
- Eduardo Gutierrez (53)
Method:
DruggingMotive(s):
Mental illnessSentence:
22 years in prisonCurrent whereabouts:
Logan Correctional Center in Lincoln, ILSources:
N/ALast Updated on 11/18/2025
