Netflix's Love Is Blind groom sentenced 15 years for attempting to kill ex he met on show

Love Is Blind: Argentina groom Santiago Martínez has been jailed after attempting to murder his ex, Emily Ceco, whom he married on the Netflix series.

Martínez was sentenced last week (25 March) for attempted murder, repeated assault and unlawful detention.

The then-29 year old appeared on the 2024 series of the Netflix show, where he paired up with Ceco, then 24. The two married in a civil ceremony during the finale and had planned a second, more intimate celebration.

In February 2025, Ceco reported him for gender-based violence after suffering a black eye and called off the engagement.

A court later issued a restraining order barring him from approaching her in public. He was also removed from Love Is Blind: Argentina once the allegations became public.

Prosecutors and the plaintiffs sought a 16-year sentence, but Martínez received 15. A proposed plea deal that would have shortened his term was rejected by the prosecution, according to Creatorzine, via The Mirror.

Speaking to local press in Argentina, Ceco said of the news: "I can’t believe it. I feel it’s over, I’m finally going to have peace. Justice has been done."

The reality TV star came face-to-face with Martínez during the reading of his defence statement in court and was left 'shaking' by the ordeal.

"My whole body was shaking," Ceco recalled. "I was terrified. During his statement, he apologised and said he still loved me.

"I didn’t respond, but my brother went too far and told him, 'If you loved her so much, why did you almost kill her? You beat her up – coward'."

Sharing her concerns for the future, she added: "I have 15 years of peace ahead. I don’t know what will happen when he gets out, but I hope the justice system continues to protect me.

"If he tried to kill me when I gave him everything, I can’t imagine what he might do to me or my family after 15 years of anger."

Ceco took to Instagram the day after Martínez's sentencing was announced, writing in a post: "Sentence was announced yesterday. And I'm still trying to understand everything that moves inside me. It's not just a closure... is to remove a story that marked me deeply.

"There were days of so much fear, of feeling lost, of not knowing how to go on. And there was also something in me that, even in the darkest moments, chose not to give up.

"But I wasn't alone. And that's what I feel the strongest today."

She continued: "Thank you to my family, for holding me even when I couldn't hold myself. Thank you to every person who wrote to me, who hugged me with words, who didn't let go of me. Thanks to those who, without knowing me, chose to accompany me anyway. And especially, thank you to my attorneys, for walking through this process with me, for delivering, for patience, and for never giving up on me.

"This doesn't erase the experience. But today I feel like a part of my story was heard."

Ceco concluded: "I... still healing, more aware, stronger, and deeply grateful. Today my life begins anew."

Tyla has reached out to Netflix and Emily Ceco's representatives for comment.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, please know that you are not alone. You can talk in confidence to the national domestic violence helpline Refuge on 0808 2000 247, available 24/7, or via live chat, available 10am-10pm, Monday to Friday.