A San Antonio man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for the 2023 murder of a woman at a local hotel, bringing a legal close to a case that prosecutors described as a calculated act of violence. Albert Casanova, 43, received the sentence on Wednesday following his conviction for the killing of 30-year-old Briann Hernandez.
The sentencing follows a trial that detailed the final moments of Hernandez’s life in May 2023. According to the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, Casanova was found guilty of the murder on March 27, marking the culmination of a multi-year investigation into the hotel shooting.
The case centered on a shared hotel room at the OYO Hotel, located in the 2400 block of Southwest Loop 410. Court documents and arrest affidavits reveal that Casanova and Hernandez had checked into the establishment together shortly before the fatal encounter. The evidence presented during the proceedings painted a picture of a sudden and lethal escalation.
Surveillance footage from the property provided a critical window into the crime. Investigators noted that Hernandez was captured briefly on camera standing in a breezeway just outside the room the pair had shared. The District Attorney’s office stated that Casanova shot Hernandez in the head before fleeing the premises in her vehicle.
Timeline of the 2023 Hotel Murder
The discovery of the crime was not immediate, occurring only during the hotel’s standard operational routines. The following sequence of events was established through the arrest affidavit and court records:
| Date/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| May 2023 | Casanova and Hernandez check into OYO Hotel; Hernandez is murdered. |
| May 2023 | Hotel employee discovers Hernandez’s body during check-out procedures. |
| March 27, 2026 | Albert Casanova is convicted of murder. |
| Wednesday (Recent) | Casanova is sentenced to 60 years in prison. |
The grim discovery was made by a hotel employee who discovered Hernandez’s body while conducting routine check-out procedures. This discovery prompted the immediate notification of local law enforcement, initiating the forensic and digital investigation that eventually led to Casanova’s arrest and conviction.
The Prosecution’s Stance on Accountability
For the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, the 60-year sentence represents more than just a legal penalty; it is a statement on the nature of the crime. The prosecution argued that the killing was not an accident or a crime of passion, but rather a deliberate act.
Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales emphasized the severity of the crime in a statement released Wednesday.
“This was a calculated and senseless act of violence,” Gonzales said. “Today’s sentence ensures the defendant is held accountable for taking a life and reinforces our commitment to justice.”
The use of the term “calculated” suggests that the prosecution relied on evidence showing intent and premeditation, likely bolstered by the surveillance footage and the fact that the defendant fled the scene using the victim’s own car to build a getaway. This level of planning often weighs heavily in the determination of sentencing lengths in Texas capital and first-degree murder cases.
Impact and Legal Implications
The sentencing of Albert Casanova serves as a resolution for the family of Briann Hernandez, though it underscores the ongoing challenges of violence in transient spaces like hotels. For the community in San Antonio, the case highlights the critical role of surveillance and employee vigilance in solving homicides where there are no immediate witnesses.
The 60-year term ensures that Casanova will spend the vast majority of his remaining life behind bars, reflecting the judicial system’s view of the crime’s brutality. In Texas, such sentences are intended to provide both retribution for the victim and a deterrent to others, ensuring that those who commit “senseless acts of violence” face significant periods of incarceration.
While the trial has concluded, the case remains a point of reference for the San Antonio Police Department and the DA’s office in their efforts to track and prosecute violent crimes occurring in the city’s hospitality corridors.
Disclaimer: This report is based on public court records and official statements from the District Attorney’s office. It is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute a legal analysis of the trial proceedings.
As the sentencing phase is now complete, the case moves into the administrative phase of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. No further hearings are currently scheduled and the sentence is expected to be carried out immediately. Updates regarding any potential appeals process will be filed as they become available in the Bexar County court records.
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