Jose Funes-Zabala charged with stabbing of Brenda Alfaro-Alcantara in Hempstead
Nassau County homicide detectives said a Roosevelt man has been charged with murder in the killing of a Hempstead woman on Saturday. Credit: Jim Staubitser
A Roosevelt man has been charged in the killing of a Hempstead woman in the basement of a home Saturday evening, according to Nassau County homicide detectives.
Jose W. Funes-Zabala, 43, of West Clinton Avenue, has been charged with second-degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child. The victim, who was found in her Botsford Street home with multiple stab wounds, was identified Monday as Brenda Guadalupe Alfaro-Alcantara, 29.
Police said an order of protection Alfaro-Alcantara had against Funes-Zabala expired Friday. The next day, Saturday, he came to the Botsford Street basement apartment home, where the couple previously lived together during a three-year relationship, to visit the couple's 2-year old son.
Alfaro-Alcantara had gotten the order of protection last October after "a violent and tumultuous" relationship with Funes-Zabala that also included attacks on the child that left him with a fractured femur and skull, police said. During Saturday's visit Funes-Zabala became aware of a relationship Alfaro-Alcantara was involved in, started a fight, stabbed her 34 times and then fled, police said.
The toddler witnessed the attack and was left alone. He later went upstairs covered in blood to relatives. He was evaluated Saturday at a hospital but had no injuries and was released.
"We can't emphasize enough that if you feel an order of protection is still warranted you should still reapply and have it re-upped," Det. Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick, commanding officer of the Nassau County Homicide Squad, said at a news conference. "We're always here; if you don't want to talk to us, you can call a domestic violence hotline and try to stop this type of violence."
Funes-Zabala was later found at a local hospital with self-inflicted wounds.
Funes-Zabala was arraigned Monday at First District Court in Hempstead. Information on his status was not in online court records as of Monday evening.
Investigators ask anyone with information to call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 800-244-8477 or 911.
Grant Parpan covers Suffolk County courts and federal courts for Newsday. A Long Island native, he joined Newsday in 2022.
Newsday Live Music Series: Long Island Idols Newsday Live presents a special evening of music and conversation with local singers who grabbed the national spotlight on shows like "The Voice," "America's Got Talent,""The X-Factor" and "American Idol." Newsday Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano leads a discussion and audience Q&A as the singers discuss their TV experiences, careers and perform original songs.
Newsday Live Music Series: Long Island Idols Newsday Live presents a special evening of music and conversation with local singers who grabbed the national spotlight on shows like "The Voice," "America's Got Talent,""The X-Factor" and "American Idol." Newsday Senior Lifestyle Host Elisa DiStefano leads a discussion and audience Q&A as the singers discuss their TV experiences, careers and perform original songs.
