Nick Pasqual, known for his appearance in the TV sitcom How I Met Your Mother, has been sentenced to 32 years to life in prison for the brutal stabbing of his ex-girlfriend, Hollywood makeup artist Allie Shehorn. The sentencing was done on Tuesday at the San Fernando Courthouse.
The verdict comes a month after the jury found Pasqual guilty of multiple charges, including attempted murder, forcible rape, first-degree burglary and injuring a spouse or partner. Jurors also found that he used a knife during the attack and caused physical injury under circumstances involving domestic violence.
What Happened In 2024
According to prosecutors, Pasqual broke into Shehorn’s Sunland home at around 4:30 am on May 23, 2024. The actor stabbed her more than 20 times before fleeing the scene. Authorities later arrested him at a border checkpoint in Texas.
Shehorn, a Hollywood makeup artist credited for her work in Mean Girls, Babylon, and Rebel Moon, survived the attack but required emergency surgery and spent several days in intensive care.
In an emotional moment, Shehorn took the witness stand. She appeared in court with visible scars on her neck and arms and spoke about the alleged abuse she endured during their relationship.
Allie Shehorn’s Testimony Against Nick Pasqual
Shehorn had previously obtained a restraining order against Pasqual. She claimed the relationship had become abusive. Recalling one frightening incident during her testimony, she said, “I locked the door and he just started punching holes in that door and broke that open, and I just ran into the bathroom because I thought there’s another lock on that door.”
District Attorney Praises Allie Shehorn’s Courage
Prosecutors said Pasqual returned months after the breakup and carried out the violent attack. Following the sentencing, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J Hochman praised Shehorn’s courage.
“Today’s 32-year to life sentence holds Nick Pasqual accountable for the horrific crimes he committed against someone who once loved and trusted him,” Hochman said in a statement.
It added, “Allie Shehorn miraculously survived and courageously stood before her abuser in court to testify about the brutality she endured. Her trial testimony was crucial in securing a guilty verdict so Mr. Pasqual could no longer be free to hurt anyone else.”
Hochman continued to add that the case highlights the “painful reality” that domestic violence thrives when its victims live in fear and stay silent.
