Love Is Blind took dating reality TV shows to a new level. The franchise debuted on Netflix in 2020 and was an immediate hit. In a new twist, the contestants are secluded in ‘pods,’ unable to see each other. They rely on their communication skills to get to know each other and possibly fall in love. After some time, they are given the option to marry on the spot.
However, a recent shocking turn of events proves that you never really know someone. A contestant from the show was convicted of attempted murder after assaulting a woman he met and married on Love Is Blind.
Love Is Blind Star Accused Of Attempted Murder Of Woman He Married On The Show
Most reality TV shows have extensive background checks on contestants before putting them on television. Sometimes, secrets from their past fall in the cracks, like ABC’s Bachelorette Taylor Frankie Paul’s domestic violence history.
But oftentimes, a contestant’s problematic behavior doesn’t come out until later on. Love Is Blind premiered on Netflix during the COVID pandemic, when everyone was stuck at home. The show’s popularity led to franchises in various countries around the world, including Argentina.
Santiago Martínez and Emily Ceco met on Love Is Blind: Argentina in 2024. They got engaged in the pods and tied the knot in a civil ceremony. The couple had plans to remarry, but the relationship ended amid allegations of assault.
Emily Ceco reported her reality TV husband to the authorities in 2025, claiming he physically assaulted her. She claimed Santiago Martinez choked her and smothered her with a pillow during an argument. She was able to escape and immediately went to the police.
The Love Is Blind alum was charged with attempted murder, repeated assault, and unlawful detention. According to PEOPLE magazine, Santiago Martínez denied the charges in a now-deleted Instagram post. “The first thing I want to say is that I do not justify violence in any way, and I was the first to acknowledge my mistake and to apologise privately, and today I take responsibility for what I did. But that does not mean I take responsibility for trying to kill the woman I loved,” he wrote on social media during his trial.
Santiago Martínez Convicted, Receives Lengthy Sentence
However, the court disagreed with his claim of innocence. He was convicted on all three charges in March 2026. Santiago Martínez was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Emily Ceco shared her reaction with Televisión Pública.
“I instantly burst into tears. My body was shaking. I felt like I had taken a backpack off my shoulders and that I was going to have peace after a long time,” she said about the conviction.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Jennifer Havener grew up in a small town in Upstate New York. She earned her B.A in Writing & Literature from Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. She always knew watching reality TV shows and soap operas, particularly ‘Days of Our Lives’, would come in handy someday. When she’s not writing, she’s playing with her dogs, Lola and Ruger
