Man sentenced to death of East Bay teenager from fentanyl overdose

An East Bay family says they have finally come to terms with the death of their 14-year-old daughter. She died of an overdose, and on Thursday the man who prosecutors say gave her the drug was sentenced to prison for his role in her death.

While the pain will never subside, Valentina Langhammer’s family walked out of Oakland Federal Court Thursday feeling relieved.

One day after Valentina was supposed to be 16, they learned that the person responsible for her death would spend years in prison.

“I hope he learned his lesson, at least we got this drug dealer off the streets. And stay away from high school so these kids grow up in peace,” said Walter Langhammer, Valentina’s father.

The freshman at Concord High School was only 14 years old when her lifeless body was found by her father. She overdosed on a fake Percocet that had fentanyl added to it.

Court records identified Alejandro Urias as a drug dealer who supplied the pills.

“It’s terrible, every day you wake up and think about her,” said Walter Langhammer.

NBC Bay Area cameras weren’t allowed inside at the time of sentencing, but we do know that Valentina’s father read a three-page letter to the judge explaining the pain Urias caused his family and two youngest children.

Valentina’s mother also spoke in court, telling the defendant in Spanish that she would never be the same again.

“This is a pain that will never go away, you have to live with it and turn the pain into a message for children because drugs can kill you,” said Viviana Arenas.

“It’s a pain that will never go away,” she said. Arenas explained that now she wants to turn the pain into a warning to other children.

Under the plea agreement, the judge had the opportunity to impose a sentence of 6 to 8 years, she chose the maximum, adding that if the case went to trial, she would give the defendant even more time.

“The more he gets better, the better, but with the death of Valentina, nothing will change,” said Walter Langhammer.

In court, Urias apologized to Valentina’s family as he said he couldn’t sleep at night.

“I’m sorry for your loss and the pain I caused your family. I’m losing sleep because of this, I know I need help. I’m very sorry,” he said.

But Valentina’s mother sounded muffled, she said she didn’t believe that he was sincerely sorry…saying that he had taken her heart.

“He doesn’t know what damage he has done, my daughter is dead and he will have time in a jail cell to realize he ruined our lives,” Arenas said.