Rehoboth Man Gets Life Sentence for Pregnant Girlfriend’s Killing
Groom admitted guilt to killing Monteiro and trying to intimidate a witness. A judge sentenced him to life in prison on the murder charge, with parole eligibility after 25 years, and ordered him to serve that sentence after completing a three-to-five-year term for witness intimidation. He received credit for 448 days already spent in jail while the case was pending.
Monteiro was about 11 weeks pregnant when she went missing in August 2025. Prosecutors said Groom initially told police that Monteiro had gone from his house following a dispute. In an August 19 questioning, after officers told him they were authorized to inspect his land, Groom drew a map showing where her body was buried, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said Groom admitted using a kitchen knife to stab Monteiro twice in the neck and once in her chest. He told investigators he spent hours digging a hole in the woods about 20 yards from where the killing occurred, then placed her body inside and covered it. Authorities later found human remains consistent with Monteiro at the location.
The day before she disappeared, Monteiro texted her sister that Groom had thrown her to the ground, pulled her hair and strangled her. Her sister, Faith Monteiro, urged people on Facebook to contact prosecutors and oppose the proposed plea deal. Groom had initially faced a first-degree murder charge, which carries life without parole; the guilty plea was to second-degree murder.
Groom’s Plea Deal Leaves Parole Possible in Pregnant Teen’s Killing
A life sentence does not mean Groom will remain behind bars for life: his second-degree murder sentence allows parole consideration after 25 years. The judge also imposed a three-to-five-year sentence for witness intimidation, to be served first.
Groom pleaded guilty to killing Monteiro, who was about 11 weeks pregnant. Prosecutors said he admitted stabbing her three times with a kitchen knife, digging a grave on his family’s Rehoboth property and burying her there. Authorities later found remains consistent with Monteiro at the site.
The plea resolved a case that had initially included a first-degree murder charge, which carries life without parole. Monteiro’s sister, Faith, publicly pressed prosecutors to reject the proposed deal. The outcome leaves the family’s demand for justice set against a sentence that permits Groom to seek parole after decades in prison.
Prosecutors also said Monteiro had texted her sister the day before she disappeared, saying Groom had thrown her down, pulled her hair and strangled her. Groom was credited with 448 days spent in jail before sentencing.
Life Sentence Imposes Decades Behind Bars for Rehoboth Killing
The sentence requires Groom to serve a three-to-five-year term for witness intimidation before beginning his life sentence for second-degree murder. He will not be eligible for parole on the murder count until he has served at least 25 years on that sentence, and he received credit for 448 days already jailed.
Groom pleaded guilty to killing Monteiro, who was about 11 weeks pregnant. Prosecutors said he admitted stabbing her in the neck and chest, then spending hours digging a hole in the woods on his family’s property and burying her. Authorities later recovered remains consistent with Monteiro there.
The case had initially involved a first-degree murder charge, which carries life without parole, but Groom pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. Monteiro’s sister, Faith, had urged prosecutors to reject the proposed deal. The resulting sentence nevertheless imposes a life term, with parole possible only after a lengthy period behind bars.
Prosecutors said Monteiro texted her sister the day before she went missing, describing an assault by Groom. He had initially told police that Monteiro left after an argument.
Reported by The Boston Globe, Boston.com.
