Bradenton man accused of committing violent second-degree murder of girlfriend in April.

Key Information

• Accused: Roger Villasana, 33
• Victim: Yassmin Montoya, 34
• Incident Date: April 8, 2025
• Death Date: April 11, 2025
• Charges: Second-degree murder
• Key Evidence: Surveillance video, cell phone records, witness statements
• Arrest Date: September 3, 2025

Roger Villasana, 33, faces second-degree murder charges in connection with the death of 34-year-old Yassmin Montoya on April 8, 2025. Authorities arrived at the scene around 8 a.m. that day, responding to reports of an unconscious woman found inside a black Dodge Charger on 30th Avenue East in Bradenton. Upon arrival, they discovered Montoya suffering from severe facial swelling and various injuries, necessitating her transport to HCA Florida Blake Hospital.

SPD: Homicide investigation underway

Tragically, Montoya succumbed to her injuries on April 11, 2025, following a traumatic brain injury, facial fractures, and other internal injuries. The medical examiner classified her death as a homicide, attributing it to blunt force trauma consistent with a prolonged and forceful assault.

Initially, Villasana claimed that Montoya had been attacked by an unknown assailant in Sarasota. However, the sheriff’s Domestic Violence Unit revealed inconsistencies in his story during their investigation. “When we got there,” shared Randy Warren, a spokesperson for the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, “we were being told by the boyfriend and others that she was attacked in Sarasota. Her injuries to her brain were very severe…she died a few days later.”

Surveillance footage from the Golden Host Resort and Bahi Hut in Sarasota captured Montoya arriving without injuries. However, later footage depicted Villasana forcibly dragging her back into their hotel room as she attempted to escape. In subsequent moments, Montoya appeared injured and required assistance to walk, according to deputies.

Additional evidence, which included cell phone records, license plate reader data, and further video documentation, corroborated that the couple never visited the locations Villasana claimed, and no witnesses corroborated his narrative.

Warren detailed the emotional toll on Montoya’s family, stating, “It was very sad for our victim’s family because they lost her months ago…he continued to claim that he did not do this, but the evidence said otherwise. It is just a shame that it took a while for us to find the truth.” On September 3, deputies apprehended Villasana at the Bradenton home where Montoya was found, taking him into custody without incident.