ORANGE COUNTY, Texas (TCN) — A 48-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison in connection with the death of a woman who offered him a place to stay after his release from prison.
According to KBMT, deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on Aug. 21, 2025, after receiving a call that a woman was unresponsive. When they arrived, they found 61-year-old Bami Carmane suffering from severe injuries, KBTV reports. She had also been sexually assaulted.
Investigators identified Adrian Echevarria as a suspect in her death. The two had met on an online dating app when he was incarcerated. KBMT reported last year that Echevarria was arrested and jailed on unrelated state and federal parole violation charges following his interview.
According to Carmane’s son, Brian Haney, Carmane had offered Echevarria a place to stay following his release from prison, KDFM reports. Carmane’s son told the outlet that his mother always saw the good in others and wanted to help Echevarria. She had been widowed for two years when she met him, according to Haney.
He said, “The man was in prison previously for violence. Sending him back to prison for violence just seems like sending him home with no punishment. If it was me, I would see the man get the death penalty.”
According to Orange County District Attorney Krispen Walker Winfree, Carmane and Echavarria communicated on a contraband cellphone while he was incarcerated, KDFM reports. Winfree said Echevarria was released from prison the day before Carmane was killed.
Per KMBT, Echevarria was indicted on charges of murder and aggravated sexual assault in November 2025. He was found guilty of murder on Sept. 24 and sentenced to life in prison the same day. The jury deliberated for approximately 15 minutes before returning their verdict. According to KBMT, Echevarria’s aggravated sexual assault charge was not part of the trial.
According to her obituary, Carmane was a veteran of the U.S. Army who worked as a nurse for 34 years. It reads, “She will be remembered for her love of nature, travel, music, and photography. Bami was a fearless spirit who always rose above adversity and uplifted all those around her.”
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