D.A. Bragg: Ernest Wright Sentenced To 22 Years For Fatally Strangling Girlfriend In Times Square Hotel Room

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr., today announced the sentencing of ERNEST WRIGHT, 33, to 22 years in state prison for fatally strangling his girlfriend, 26-year-old Kayla Estevez, in a Times Square hotel room in March 2021. On August 8, 2025, WRIGHT was convicted by a New York State Supreme Court jury of Manslaughter in the First Degree.

"After a year of abuse, Ernest Wright fatally strangled his girlfriend Kayla Estevez in a horrific act of intimate-partner violence," said District Attorney Bragg. "I extend my deepest condolences to Kayla's loved ones who spoke at today's sentencing and thank the prosecutors who tried this case. Help is available: if you or someone you know is a victim of intimate-partner violence in Manhattan, please call us at 212-335-9373."

According to court documents and as proven at trial, WRIGHT and Ms. Estevez began dating in Spring 2020. WRIGHT physically abused Ms. Estevez, who suffered from seizures, on multiple occasions over the next year. Just after midnight on March 23, 2021, WRIGHT and Ms. Estevez argued, before WRIGHT choked her, exerting continuous pressure for up to 10 minutes straight. He called 911, blaming Ms. Estevez's seizures for her injuries. Responding EMTs found her with bruising all over her body and face and pronounced her dead.

Assistant D.A. Shilpa Kalra and Assistant D.A. Abel McDonnell handled the prosecution of this case under the supervision of Assistant D.A. Erin Tierney (Chief of Trial Bureau 30) and Executive Assistant D.A. Lisa DelPizzo (Chief of the Trial Division), Dr. Lara Goldfeder (Medical Consultant), Juliana Bosrock and Theo Bellak (Trial Preparation Assistants), Brandon McDuffie (Senior Investigative Analyst), Detective Rhonda McDowell (formerly Midtown North Detective Squad), and Detective Yeoman Castro (Manhattan South Homicide).

Defendant Information

ERNEST WRIGHT

Convicted:

• Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class B felony, one count

Sentenced:

• 22 years in state prison
• 5 years post-release supervision

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