NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ—On the morning of October 31, a 20-year-old woman passed away after being stabbed in the area of 37 Juliet Street, allegedly by her stepfather—who also suffered stab wounds of his own, according to the official story.
It’s the second fatal domestic violence incident in ten days here in the Second Ward of the city. Both times, authorities say the perpetrator then tried to end their own life.
Police arrived at the home to find 20-year-old Lissi Rodriguez-Sanchez, who was pronounced deceased at the scene, and 64-year-old Teodulo Habana, badly injured.
An investigation led by New Brunswick Police Department (NBPD) Detective Victor Delgado and Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office (MCPO) Detective Kevin Schroeck “determined that Habana’s wounds were self-inflicted, and he was the perpetrator of this crime,” according to a press release from both agencies.
Habana has been charged with first-degree murder, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
It’s unclear what time the crime occurred, but authorities said they “responded to 37 Juliet Street after receiving the report that there were two injured people,” around 9:12am, according to the joint statement.
The statement noted that Habana “had sustained serious injuries and was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital where he is being treated for his injuries.”
The hospital did not immediately respond to a request for Habana’s status.
“Rodriguez-Sanchez had multiple stab wounds and ultimately succumbed to
her injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene,” reads the press release.
Police were observed outside the home at 37 Juliet Street shortly after authorities first announced they were investigating a homicide, initially declining to name the victim until they could notify other family members. Statements were released at 12:21pm and 4:27pm.
Just ten days earlier, about 16 blocks away, the same police agencies were investigating a double homicide that has since been categorized as a domestic violence incident, according to the NBPD’s online crime map.
Prosecutors and police did not use the words “domestic violence” in any their statements on these two cases.
On October 21, 22-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man were stabbed to death in the area of Feaster Park, allegedly by a 26-year-old man who hung himself hours later in a different city park. The latest tragic incident marks the fourth murder in the city this year.
Anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call NBPD Detective Delgado at 732-745-5200 or MCPO Detective Schroeck at 732-745-3289.
Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.
