Who is Isabella Guzman? Killer turned TikTok sensation: Disclosing tragic tale of troubled soul

Delve into the haunting story of Isabella Guzman, who brutally murdered her mother. From a chilling crime scene to TikTok fame, explore the twists of her insanity plea and her quest for release.

Published on Nov 17, 2023  |  07:50 PM IST |  2.3M
(Image Courtesy: Public Domain)
Image Courtesy: Public Domain
Key Highlight
  • Isabella Guzman infamously stabbed her mother Yun Mi Hoy 79 times claimed not guilty for insanity
  • Diagnosed with schizophrenia, she was ordered to the Colorado Mental Health Institute until cured
  • TikTok users resurrected her 2013 court appearance, drawing attention for its eerie nature

Trigger Warning: This article discusses a case involving graphic violence, mental health issues, and sensitive topics related to a traumatic event. 

The heinous murder of Yun Mi Hoy by her daughter, Isabella Guzman, shocked the globe in August 2013. Isabella Guzman's narrative reflects the intricacies of mental health, family dynamics, and the peculiar twists of the Internet era. It is a story of rough beginnings, a horrible crime, a bizarre court appearance, and an unexpected path into internet celebrity as per CBS. 

Who is Isabella Guzman, and what did she do? 

Isabella Guzman, 18, horrified the world in 2013 when she viciously murdered her mother, Yun Mi Hoy, in Aurora, Colorado. She pled not guilty because of insanity after being diagnosed with schizophrenia, claiming she killed to rescue the world. Guzman claimed her schizophrenia was under control after seven years in the Colorado Mental Health Institute and requested release in 2020. TikTok added an unexpected twist when her 2013 court hearing clip went viral, gaining an internet following. Guzman claims her family abused her, complicating a terrible story of mental illness, criminality, and the uneasy junction of fame and internet attention. 

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What happened to Isabella Guzman? 

Isabella Guzman, who was ruled not guilty because of insanity in 2013 for brutally killing her mother, Yun Mi Hoy, experienced a difficult path. She sought discharge from a mental health hospital in 2020, citing improved mental health as per CBS. TikTok provided an unexpected boost in popularity. Guzman claims to have been abused in the past and faces a difficult road to reintegration into society. As she navigates a complicated tale intertwined with mental health difficulties, fame, and public scrutiny, the haunting echoes of her crime endure. 

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Isabella Guzman's story of murder: 

The troubled early life of Isabella Guzman 

Isabella's turbulent path began with a rough childhood filled with behavioral disorders. Isabella was sent to live with her biological father at an early age because of her challenges, and her return to her mother's household did not provide the stability her family had hoped for. Isabella's relationship with her mother, Yun Mi Hoy, deteriorated as she struggled through her adolescence and finally dropped out of high school. 

The grisly murder of Yun Mi Hoy 

The night of August 28, 2013, would be remembered as a nightmare for the Hoy family. Isabella and her mother's heated disagreement turned into a nightmare catastrophe. Yun Mi Hoy was stabbed 79 times in the face, neck, and body, and her life was cruelly snatched in their Aurora, Colorado home. The crime scene offered a bleak image, with Isabella fleeing the scene, leaving a blood-stained trail in her wake. 

Isabella Guzman gets her bizarre day in court 

Isabella's legal career took an unusual turn on September 5, 2013, when she was arraigned. Reports of her being pulled from her cell, along with her odd facial expressions and movements in court, gave a weird element to an already horrific story. According to a doctor's testimony, Isabella had schizophrenia and delusions that altered her perspective of reality. The court eventually accepted her not guilty because of her insanity plea. 

Guzman’s rise to internet fame and where she is now 

A surprise occurred seven years later, in the year 2020. Isabella's 2013 court appearance videos went viral on TikTok, catapulting her into an unexpected sphere of internet stardom. Users adapted her trial emotions to music, resulting in a spooky fanbase drawn to the macabre. In the meantime, Isabella remained in the Colorado Mental Health Institute, undergoing therapy and claiming that her schizophrenia had been controlled. 


Isabella Guzman's case, arraignment, and verdict 

The court processes in Isabella's case were distinguished by the admission of her serious mental condition. Recognizing the deep influence of schizophrenia on her behavior, the court committed her to the Colorado Mental Health Institute until she was considered no longer a threat. The district attorney, George Brauchler, underlined that Isabella couldn't have recognized right from wrong given her mental state at the time of the murder. 

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What is Isabella Guzman's illness? Quick facts about Isabella Guzman 

Isabella's struggle with mental illness, notably schizophrenia, was crucial in her court case. Her severe beliefs led her to believe that by killing a lady named Cecelia, she was rescuing the world, demonstrating the enormous influence of mental health on criminal action. Isabella said her sanity had been restored throughout her quest for release, separating her current state from the damaged mind that did the horrible deed in 2013. 

Isabella Guzman's journey from troubled adolescent to legendary criminal and online phenomenon is a sobering reminder of the human mind's frailty as she sits in the Colorado Mental Health Institute. Her story highlights concerns about the convergence of mental health, criminality, and justice, highlighting the need for a more nuanced response to persons suffering from serious mental disorders. The strange intersection of her trial footage and online celebrity adds a surreal element to a terrible story that is still unfolding behind the walls of the mental health facility she is presently residing in. 

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Know more about the Isabella Guzman case:

Where is Isabella Guzman Now?
Isabella is still hospitalized at the Colorado Mental Health Institute, where she has been for almost a decade, little over 10 years after that fatal day.

What nationality is Isabella Guzman?
Isabella Guzman is an American who lives in Colorado.

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About The Author

Sakina is a seeker of truth and uncovers hidden perspectives, ensuring her readers are not just informed but

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