CLEVELAND COUNTY, Okla. – A 29-year-old woman in Oklahoma has been sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday for the murder of her 19-year-old disabled sister-in-law. Desiree Sanchez, also known as Desiree Fransen, was found guilty of first-degree murder and unlawful removal of a body for the death of Margarita “Maggie” Sandoval.
Sanchez killed Sandoval and hid her body in a box, moving it between different locations to continue collecting the victim’s social security benefits.
Sanchez is already serving a three-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to conspiracy and aggravated identity theft for fraudulently collecting Sandoval’s federal social security benefits. Sandoval, who had the cognitive abilities of a child, was the half-sister of Sanchez’s husband, Octavio Juan Sanchez. Octavio Sanchez is currently serving a four-year federal prison sentence for the theft of his sister’s benefits and is awaiting trial on charges related to Sandoval’s murder.
The police believe Sandoval was killed between February and April 2018, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case. Desiree Sanchez and her husband wrapped Sandoval’s body in multiple layers of plastic.
In addition the couple exchanged incriminating messages through Facebook, revealing their plan and their belief that Sandoval’s ghost was haunting them for what they did. The remains of Sandoval were discovered in the basement of Miguel Angel Munoz on May 13, 2021, Munoz has been charged with accessory to murder in the first degree and is awaiting trial.
Desiree Sanchez never reported Sandoval’s death and continued to collect her social security benefits, receiving a total of $30,912 for herself. In addition, the couple used Sandoval’s identity to apply for $3,200 in stimulus money from the IRS during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sandoval had intellectual disabilities and required constant care. The medical examiner determined that she died of homicide, but due to the level of decomposition, a cause of death could not be established.