NYPD charges man with murder, claims his story of muggers killing girlfriend in Bronx is false.

A 44-year-old man, Franklin Batallas, has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend, Anthonella Contreras Linarez, 30, in what initially appeared to be a botched robbery in Pelham Bay Park, Bronx. The incident occurred around 8:10 PM on a Wednesday evening, leading to an emergency response that transported Linarez to Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

Batallas had originally reported to investigators that two Black men attacked them while he had stopped to urinate in the secluded park area. He claimed these assailants demanded money from Linarez, and when she refused, they stabbed her multiple times in the neck, face, and body. Batallas also alleged that he sustained a stab wound to his left arm while attempting to intervene. After his story was thoroughly scrutinized by detectives, inconsistencies led them to question his account more closely.

During the subsequent investigation, police sources indicated that Batallas exhibited a jealous disposition and was in a tumultuous relationship with Linarez, who was reportedly in the process of ending their relationship at the time of her death. This revelation raised suspicions regarding the veracity of Batallas’s claims.

Law enforcement was initially skeptical of Batallas’s account, primarily due to the absence of surveillance cameras in the vicinity where the alleged incident took place. The circumstances surrounding Linarez’s murder are still being unraveled, with authorities focused on gathering evidence to construct a clear narrative of the events leading up to the tragic incident.

Residents of the Bronx community expressed their shock at the event. Richard Allen, a local security guard, remarked on the sadness surrounding this violent act, especially in an area familiar to the couple. The case has generated significant attention, highlighting concerns regarding safety in public spaces and the complexities of interpersonal relationships.

As Batallas faces charges of murder, assault, and weapons possession, the investigation continues, with the authorities working to uncover the details of this disturbing incident. The outcome of the case will undoubtedly have lasting implications for the community and contribute to the ongoing discourse surrounding violence and relationship dynamics.