Facing his own reality drama. Former Survivor producer Bruce Beresford-Redman has been convicted of allegedly killing his wife Monica Burgos Beresford-Redman during a Mexican vacation back in 2010. According to his mother Juanita Beresford-Redman, a judge in Quintana Roo, Mexico sentenced him to 12 years in prison on Thursday, Mar. 12.
The TV producer-writer, 43, reported Monica missing on April 6, 2010 during their Cancun getaway. At the time, he claimed she didn’t return after a solo shopping trip. Her naked body was found three days later inside a sewer cistern, and an autopsy later revealed she was strangled. Bruce returned to the U.S. afterward, but was deported to Mexico in February 2012.
Bruce, who has maintained his innocence, has been behind bars in a Cancun prison for nearly three years. His family said Thursday that he plans to appeal the decision. “We will continue to fight until he is found innocent, which he is,” Juanita told NBC Los Angeles. His parents also issued a statement via Facebook.
“We are appalled and disgusted with this gross miscarriage of justice. Over an exhausting three-and-a-half-year period this trial has done nothing but prove Bruce’s innocence beyond any doubt. Whatever lies behind this ruling it is based on neither facts nor evidence,” Juanita and David Beresford-Redman said, via NBC.
“This is a disservice to Monica’s memory; this is not the justice she and Bruce still deserve and that we continue to demand. At some point, even in Mexico, Bruce’s innocence will lead to his freedom. We will immediately appeal this absurd decision and will not rest until Bruce is exonerated and returned home,” the statement continued. “This decision must lead to a reconsideration of the extradition treaty between the United States and Mexico as it is clear that Mexico cannot meet even minimal standards of justice. We remain ever grateful to all those who continue to support Bruce.”
Monica’s loved ones, however, are happy with the outcome. “(The verdict is) a relief for me and my parents,” Monica’s older sister, Carla Burgos, told NBC.
Beresford-Redman produced the CBS reality series Survivor in 2005. He’s also worked on MTV’s Pimp My Ride.
