Bodybuilder 'burst into tears after transgender escort wife had sex in front of him before killing her'
A bodybuilder beat his transgender escort wife to death in a jealous rage after she had sex with a client in front of him, the Old Bailey has heard. Joaquin Gomez-Hernandez, 24, allegedly burst into tears after walking in on Vanessa Santillan with a man in the bedroom of their London flat.
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Later that day, the court heard, Gomez-Hernandez dialled 999 and flagged down an ambulance after apparently discovering his wife had been attacked at the property in Fulham.
Metropolitan PoliceTransgender sex worker Vanessa Santillan who was found murdered in a flat in Romily Court, Fulham, LondonEscort: Santillan had sex with a client on the night she died
Paramedics found 33-year-old Santillan lying half-naked on the floor in the lounge next to a used condom and broken false fingernails, .A total of £13,000, which came from her escort work, was also discovered in the flat.
She had visible injuries to her face and a post mortem later revealed she had suffered "blu
The Old Bailey heard Mexican Gomez-Hernandez was nicknamed 'Coco' and came to the UK with his wife two months before the murder. Mr Finucane added: "Although there is evidence they were loving towards each other, there is some evidence of discord."
Metropolitan PoliceTransgender sex worker Vanessa Santillan who was found murdered in a flat in Romily Court, Fulham, LondonScene: The couple's flat in Fulham
Jurors heard Miss Santillan controlled the relationship and Gomez-Hernandez had to ask her for money to buy clothes and food because he did not work.
But they also heard one friend claim that Gomez-Hernandez "was very jealous and tried to exert some power and control but did not succeed".
On the evening of March 27, the couple were drinking with friends at the flat in Romily Court, off Landridge Road, when she was contacted by a male client via the backpage.com website.
He arrived at around 6am and went to the bedroom with Miss Santillan while her friends and husband remained in the lounge, the court heard.
Vanessa was found dead in a flat in Fulham suffering injuries to her head and neck after officers from the Metropolitan Police were called in by a London Ambulance crew'Devastated': Mexican Santillan was living many miles away from home in London
Mr Finucane told the court: "While engaged in sexual activity the defendant [Gomez-Hernandez] came into the room and was glaring at them.
"There was brief conversation and the defendant said he wanted his keys." The court heard that by 6.31am, the client had left Miss Santillan's flat.
One of Miss Santillan's friends told the court Gomez-Hernandez "changed and became more serious". Gomez-Hernandez then started to cry, the court heard, and told Miss Santillan: "It's like you don't take me seriously."
The court heard Santillan kept her husband, who didn't work. Jurors then heard how he left at around 7am to continue drinking at a friends' flat while Miss Santillan remained behind.
CCTV footage captured Gomez-Hernandez walking away from Romily Court with a blue bag at 2.52pm, it is claimed. The Old Bailey also heard how when he visited Sainsbury's, in Fulham, a member of staff noticed he had a large amount of money in £20 and £50 notes and had scratches on his face.
Gomez-Hernandez then visited a Fulham brothel in Harrington Gardens at 4.45pm and had sex with two escorts, jurors were told.
Vanessa Santillan was found dead in a flat in Fulham suffering injuries to her head and neck after officers from the Metropolitan Police were called in by a London Ambulance crew.Murder probe: Gomez-Hernandez was arrested after his wife was found dead
He next returned to his friends' flat and claimed that his wife was not answering the door. The group then watched as he climbed through a window into the flat before telling them: "Vanessa is on the floor, something has happened to her." When he let them in, they found her lying next to the sofa.
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Gomez-Hernandez flagged down an ambulance at 9.26pm and was arrested on suspicion of murder by police at 9.45pm, the court heard. Gomez-Hernandez, of Landridge Road, Fulham, denies murder.