A 49-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty of five felony counts involving domestic violence against his ex-wife.

On April 2, 2023, Eric Pastrano left the victim a voicemail stating, in part, that he would “bathe in her blood,” according to a release sent Saturday from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. He also sent numerous text messages threatening her life.

Later that day, he showed up at her Phoenix home and left once he saw she had a firearm. The victim’s daughter and granddaughter were also at home at the time and were forced to hide in a bathroom from where they called the police.

Pastrano returned to the victim’s home around midnight on May 9, 2023, wearing a ski mask and body armor, authorities said.

“Pastrano broke into the home through a back door armed with a gun,” the release stated. “He fired a round through the victim’s bedroom door, barely missing her.  Once inside her bedroom, he pistol-whipped and choked her until she passed out. 

At the time of the offenses, Pastrano was a prohibited possessor due to previous felony convictions in December 1995, June 2011 and July 2022, all of which involved violent felonies, including an aggravated assault against his ex-wife.

“Living in fear for your life is no way to live,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said.  “The relief that this sentencing brings to this victim - in knowing that her perpetrator will never leave prison - is the best outcome for our office.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, call or text the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit www.thehotline.org.