Bronx Man Accused of Murder, Initially Blamed Men on Moped
A man from the Bronx was taken into custody on Friday, charged with the alleged murder of his partner. Previously, he had pointed fingers towards two men on a moped, suggesting they had assaulted his companion while he responded to nature’s call at the road’s edge, as per what the police and insiders report. The man, identified as Franklin Batallas, was detained and subjected to charges including murder, dual counts of assault, and possession of an illegal weapon. The alleged crime, which occurred on Wednesday on City Island, involved the death of Anthonella Contreras Linarez, confirmed the police.
The investigators firmly hold that Linarez was subjected to multiple stabbings by Batallas, although a clear motive behind the actions remains elusive. The relationship seemed quite solid, and there was no hint of the impending violent conclusion, according to friends and family members. As Linarez’s mourning sister, Mayker Contreras, expressed in angst, “Franklin was loved by us, much like a family member. We are in utter shock emotionally, unable to decide what to feel now,”
The grief-stricken sister further remarked that her family was now focused on making arrangements for Linarez’s last rites. Portraying her as a wondrous being, Mayker said, “My sister had a heart filled with love for the world. She was my doting little angel, and her absence is irreplaceable for us.” Emphasizing Linarez’s affection for travel, Mayker recalled fond memories of Anthonella’s frequent trips to the Dominican Republic and other places she managed to visit.
Batallas had earlier proposed a different scenario involving the incident. According to his account, he and Linarez were on route to a dinner around 8:10 pm. The duo had to pull over close to Rodman’s Neck, as Batallas needed to relieve himself. It is during this moment he described an attempted robbery by two men on a moped who allegedly pounced on Linarez. As per his story, the men stabbed Linarez multiple times, due to her resistance and fled the scene.
Batallas went on to suggest that after discovering the attack on his return, he tried to fend off the intruders but was injured during the process, mentioned the informants. Linarez had sustained numerous stabbings across her body and was immediately taken to the Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital. However, she couldn’t survive the brutal attack, confirmed the authorities. Batallas, wounded on his right forearm, was admitted to the same healthcare facility, in a stable condition.
Later investigations have connected Batallas to the horrific crime. Various sources have revealed that the couple had been in a relationship for a period of three years. A modest tribute to Linarez was set up outside her apartment in Longwood on Friday, featuring red and white roses along with candles of similar shades.
Conteras Linarez was professionally associated with the Mount Sinai Morningside hospital, working diligently as a registered nurse. The untimely tragedy deeply affected a spokesperson from the hospital who shared on Thursday, “Our whole community at the Mount Sinai Health System is heavily grieving the loss of our own. Our sincerest condolences go out to her family, friends, and coworkers. We request all to include them in their thoughts.”
The couple had previously shared an apartment on Bathgate Avenue for nearly a year before vacating about eight months ago. Neighbors had perceived them as a usual couple, friendly and sociable. As Angela Marcelino, one of their neighbours, reminisced, “They would often be seen singing and dancing at their residence, usually to romantic tunes.”
Marcelino also recalled a period of about a month when Linarez had temporarily moved out of the joint residence, taking her petite dog, Bella, along. Reflecting on their interactions, Marcelino observed, “Anthonella occasionally appeared quiet and reflective. I never intervened or questioned her about it,”
Dealing with disbelief, Marcelino admitted, “I cannot bring myself to believe his involvement. If I am proven wrong, may God forgive me, as I am still hopeful that he is not the culprit. From my understanding, he lacked any signs of aggression.”
Marcelino’s son, who preferred anonymity, concurred saying, “On hearing the news, I was shocked saying, ‘Impossible! I cannot believe his guilt. They seemed quite a harmonious couple.’”