The Hunt For Bianca Dos Santos: 5 Shocking Details Of The Fugitive Mastermind Behind The 2009 Winter Garden Home Invasion

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As of today, December 23, 2025, Bianca Dos Santos remains one of the most sought-after fugitives connected to a brutal and high-profile crime in Florida, a case that has recently resurfaced in public consciousness through true-crime documentaries. The chilling 2009 Winter Garden home invasion and kidnapping, which targeted the Borges family, has been solved for most of the perpetrators, but the alleged ringleader, Dos Santos, has evaded authorities for over a decade and a half, believed to be hiding outside the United States. This article delves into the shocking details of the crime, the woman at the center of the manhunt, and the latest on her fugitive status. The endurance of this case in the public eye is a testament to the sheer brutality of the three-day ordeal suffered by the victims, Marcela Borges and her family. Despite the passage of time, law enforcement’s resolve to capture Dos Santos remains strong, especially as the story gains renewed attention through media adaptations that detail the horrific events of the 2009 kidnapping and torture.

Bianca Dos Santos: Fugitive Profile and Biography

Bianca Dos Santos is a key figure in one of Central Florida’s most infamous unsolved fugitive cases. While detailed personal information is scarce due to her status as an international fugitive, the following profile has been compiled from court records and investigative reports related to the 2009 crime:
  • Full Name: Bianca Dos Santos
  • Role in Crime: Alleged Ring-leader and Mastermind
  • Age at Time of Crime (2009): 21 years old
  • Estimated Current Age (2025): Approximately 37–38 years old
  • Nationality/Origin: Bolivian
  • Primary Charges: Attempted Homicide, Kidnapping, and Home-Invasion Robbery
  • Last Known Location/Belief: Fled to Bolivia
  • Status: Still at Large (Fugitive)
  • Co-Conspirators Arrested: Oscar Diaz-Hernandez, Miguel Santiz, and Victor Sanchez
Dos Santos is accused of being the driving force behind the meticulously planned attack on the home of Marcela Borges and Rubens Morais. Her alleged role was not just organizational but involved active participation in the terrifying events that unfolded.

The Brutal Details of the Winter Garden Home Invasion

The crime Bianca Dos Santos is wanted for occurred in November 2009 at a residence in Winter Garden, Florida. The incident was not a simple robbery but a calculated, multi-day hostage situation that shocked the community and investigators alike. The ordeal began when a group of armed individuals, allegedly led by Dos Santos, invaded the home of Marcela Borges, her husband Rubens Morais, and their two young sons. The intent was not solely to rob the family, but to extort a significant sum of money, turning the home into a site of terror for nearly three days. The perpetrators subjected the family to physical and psychological torture, forcing them to comply with their demands. The situation escalated to the point where the charges against Dos Santos include attempted homicide, underscoring the extreme violence involved in the crime. The victims, particularly Marcela Borges, displayed incredible bravery during the harrowing event, which ultimately led to the identification of the attackers. Borges’s ability to pull down the mask of the female kidnapper was crucial in naming Bianca Dos Santos as one of the assailants and the alleged ringleader.

The Fugitive Trail: Why Bianca Dos Santos Remains at Large

While several of Dos Santos's co-conspirators were apprehended shortly after the incident, Bianca Dos Santos herself managed to escape the United States. Investigators believe she fled the country and is currently residing in Bolivia, a country with which the U.S. does not have a smooth extradition treaty, complicating law enforcement efforts. The fact that Dos Santos remains a fugitive more than 15 years later highlights the challenges of international manhunts. Despite the confessions of other suspects, which reportedly confirmed her role as the mastermind, authorities have been unable to track her down and bring her back to Florida to face justice. One of the co-conspirators, Oscar Diaz-Hernandez, was arrested and reportedly confessed to his involvement, although he later attempted suicide while on life support. The other suspects, including Miguel Santiz and Victor Sanchez, were also arrested and faced charges related to the home invasion. The detailed confessions of these individuals have provided a clear picture of Dos Santos's alleged central role in planning and executing the kidnapping and robbery.

Renewed Public Interest: The True-Crime Adaptations

Public interest in the Bianca Dos Santos case has seen a significant resurgence in recent years, primarily due to true-crime adaptations that have brought the terrifying story of the Borges family to a wider audience. The story of Marcela Borges's survival and the intense investigation that followed was retold in a popular Netflix series episode, *Terror Comes Knocking*. This media exposure served as a stark reminder that the case was not fully closed. Furthermore, a new adaptation, *Terror Comes Knocking: The Marcela Borges Story*, was scheduled for release on Lifetime, further cementing the case’s place in true-crime history and reigniting calls for justice. This renewed attention is critical. True-crime media often generates new leads or pressures foreign authorities to cooperate in a case. For the Borges family, the media spotlight keeps the pressure on law enforcement to continue the hunt for the last remaining fugitive.

A Call for Justice: The Ongoing Manhunt

The case of Bianca Dos Santos serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of violent crime and the persistence of law enforcement. The charges she faces—Attempted Homicide, Kidnapping, and Home-Invasion Robbery—are severe, reflecting the extreme nature of the three-day ordeal. For the victims, Marcela Borges and Rubens Morais, who have since rebuilt their lives in Florida, the capture of Dos Santos represents the final piece of closure. The authorities continue to monitor her potential whereabouts, maintaining that she is still wanted and will be pursued. Any individual with information regarding Bianca Dos Santos’s location is urged to contact the relevant law enforcement agencies immediately, as the manhunt for the alleged mastermind of this horrific crime is far from over.
bianca dos santos wanted
bianca dos santos wanted

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