Samantha Maldonado.Photo: Go Fund Me
Prior to her death, a woman identified her ex-boyfriend as the man who allegedly assaulted her and stabbed her on a Chicago train platform.
Alejandro Arellano, 31, of Chicago, has been charged with one count of first-degree murder in connection with the death of 26-year-old Samantha Maldonado, the Chicago Police Department announced in a March 13 news release.
“A key piece of evidence in this case came from the victim herself,” First Deputy Supt. Eric Carter said during a Monday press conference announcing Arellano’s arrest, perABC 7 Chicago.“She named Arellano as the offender before she succumbed to her injuries.”
Carter added that surveillance footage from the CTA station helped investigators take Arellano into custody less than 15 hours after the crime.
“Although, this offender is in custody, there’s still a family at the center of this who is grieving the loss of a young woman who had her whole life ahead of her,” the superintendent told reporters, perCBS News.
After the stabbing, Maldonado gave responding paramedics the full name of who had allegedly attacked her before being pronounced dead at a local hospital, authorities said,per WTTW.
According to thePost, prosecutors said Arellano and Maldonado were coworkers who recently ended a six-month relationship.
Alejandro Arellano.Chicago Police Department
According to CBS News, citing police, the investigation quickly led authorities to Arellano, who allegedly admitted to police that he “poked” his ex-girlfriend with a “blade” after being arrested at his home the afternoon of March 11. A bloody knife was among the evidence recovered from his residence, authorities said, per CBS News.
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Maldonado moved to Chicago from Ecuador less than a year ago, where the rest of her family still lives, according to ABC 7 Chicago.
“To say this is something that is heart-wrenching and shocking for our family just scratches the surface on what we’ve been experiencing since learning this news.”
Loved ones said on the fundraiser’s description that Maldonado left South America in pursuit of a better life.
“Sami was and is a truly one-of-a-kind, beautiful soul,” the page states. “To talk with her was like being reminded of what true joy and generosity looks like in a person.
Reports say Arellano is being held without bond. It is not immediately clear if he has entered a plea or retained an attorney to speak on his behalf.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
source: people.com
