Son finds mother’s alleged killer, his stepfather, and also retrieves her stolen dog.

In a harrowing series of events unfolding in Brooklyn, the son of a woman found murdered in her apartment has taken significant steps toward both seeking justice and recovering his family pet. The victim, Maria Ines Granda, 59, was discovered with head trauma in her Bay Ridge residence on the morning of September 14, 2026. Her husband, Mauricio Granda, 47, was apprehended later that day and charged with her murder, as reported by local law enforcement.

Fortino Vazquez, the victim’s 29-year-old son, initially sought to assist the police in the investigation surrounding his mother’s death. During this process, he learned that her goldendoodle, Canelo, was missing from the apartment. A building staff member indicated that surveillance footage captured Mauricio Granda leaving with the dog two days prior to the discovery of Maria’s body, leading Vazquez to suspect foul play.

Determined to recover Canelo, Vazquez embarked on a search on Tuesday, staking out the suspect’s former residence on 53rd Street in Sunset Park. His efforts bore fruit shortly after 11 p.m. when he spotted the dog’s whereabouts. He observed Granda’s aunt exiting the building with the dog. Confronting her, Vazquez felt an urgent need to act, stating that he had waited patiently for around 40 minutes before Canelo was brought out.

In an impulsive move, Vazquez unhooked the leash from Canelo, who enthusiastically jumped toward him. However, the encounter turned physical as Granda’s aunt struck Vazquez on the back of the head with the leash, prompting both parties to contact the police. Ultimately, the aunt, 73-year-old Yolanda Granda Trivino, was arrested and charged with assault, menacing, harassment, and criminal possession of a weapon, though she was released without bail following her not guilty plea.

Vazquez expressed a sense of relief at the recovery of his mother’s dog, sharing that it provided a modicum of closure amidst the tragic circumstances. His family had been anxiously awaiting updates about Canelo, who had a special connection to them, being a gift from Vazquez’s older brother to their mother.

The events escalated quickly for Vazquez as his search for Canelo followed closely behind his confrontation with his stepfather. After Maria Granda’s passing was confirmed, he drove to Sunset Park, leading him to see his mother’s car parked on the street. Recognizing the vehicle, he called the police and was pivotal in blocking Mauricio Granda’s attempt to flee, resulting in the latter’s arrest.

Despite the successful recovery of Canelo, Vazquez noted concerning signs of distress in the dog. Canelo has shown reluctance to eat, clearly affected by the traumatic events surrounding Maria’s death. As the situation continues to unfold, both justice for Maria and the emotional well-being of her pet remain pressing concerns for the family during this difficult time.

The recovery of the dog, coupled with the arrest of the alleged murderer, highlights the often turbulent intersection of personal grief and the pursuit of justice. As this case develops, the community watches closely, reflecting on the broader implications of such tragedies.

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