Matthew Almontes, 41, has been charged with murder in the fatal stabbing of his ex-girlfriend Tisha Marinoccio, 41, in New Haven, Connecticut, authorities announced.
Background
Almontes and Marinoccio both lived in the same apartment building on the 300 block of Orange Street in New Haven. The pair had previously dated but were no longer in a relationship at the time of the violence, according to the New Haven Police Department. An employee at the building told investigators that Almontes had been discussing stabbing Marinoccio for approximately six months prior to the attack.
The employee recounted that on Monday — two days before the killing — Almontes made a chilling declaration: "I'm going to kill her. I'm gonna stab her and they're not gonna find a weapon." The worker also described Almontes as having become obsessed with Marinoccio and experiencing what she characterized as "mental deterioration," according to a police report obtained by the New Haven Register.
The Investigation
On Wednesday, Marinoccio contacted authorities reporting that she had been stabbed by her ex-boyfriend, later identified as Almontes. Police said he fled her apartment with the weapon before officers arrived. Upon arrival, responders located Marinoccio inside her apartment suffering from a stab wound. Paramedics transported her to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Officers conducted a search of the surrounding area and located Almontes, who was taken into custody. "They also located the knife he used inside a dumpster in the rear alley of the apartment building," the New Haven Police Department stated. Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the building, which allegedly captured Almontes entering and exiting Marinoccio's apartment before discarding an unknown object in the rear-alley dumpster.
Almontes declined to speak with investigators following his arrest, authorities said.
The Charges
Almontes has been charged with murder and tampering with evidence. He is being held in jail on a $1.5 million bond. Court records indicate he is scheduled to appear before a judge on August 26.
Key Takeaways
- Matthew Almontes, 41, was charged with murder and evidence tampering in the death of Tisha Marinoccio, 41
- Both victim and defendant lived in the same apartment building at the 300 block of Orange Street in New Haven
- A building employee told police that Almontes had been discussing the killing for six months and warned 'I'm going to kill her' just two days before the attack
- Police recovered the alleged murder weapon — a knife — from a dumpster behind the apartment complex
- Surveillance footage allegedly showed Almontes entering and exiting the victim's apartment before discarding evidence
- He is being held on $1.5 million bond and scheduled for court appearance on Aug. 26
What's Next
Almontes is expected to be formally arraigned on August 26, where prosecutors will outline their case against him. The investigation remains active as authorities continue to piece together the timeline of events leading up to Marinoccio's death. Family members and community advocates have called for increased awareness of warning signs in domestic violence situations.