A Roosevelt man was arraigned on murder charges for the stabbing death of his former girlfriend in front of their two-year-old child.
On October 4, 2024, an order of protection against Jose William Funes-Zabala, issued on behalf of the victim, 29-year-old Brenda Guadoloupe Alfaro-Alcantara, had expired. The next day, on October 5, 2024, at approximately 5:58 p.m., Funes-Zabala visited Alfaro Alcantara’s basement apartment on Botsford Street in Hempstead to visit their two-year-old son. An argument allegedly began between Funes-Zabala and Alfaro Alcantara when Funes-Zabala learned that Alfaro-Alcantara had started dating.
Funes-Zabala then allegedly stabbed Alfaro Alcantara approximately 35 times in her bedroom with their son present. At approximately 6:58 p.m., Funes-Zabala allegedly walked out of the basement apartment with what appeared to be blood on his face. He then fled the residence, leaving the child, who was uninjured, behind.
Alfaro-Alcantara and her child were later discovered in the apartment by relatives after family members were unable to contact her.
Funes-Zabala was arrested on October 6, 2024, at Nassau University Medical Center by members of the Nassau County Police Department Homicide Squad. He was arraigned on February 10, 2025 before Judge Howard Sturim on charges of second-degree murder (a Class A-I felony), third-degree criminal possession of a weapon (a Class D felony) and endangering the welfare of a child (a Class A misdemeanor). Funes-Zabala pleaded not guilty and was remanded.
He is due back in court on February 27, 2025. If convicted, the defendant faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
“Enraged that his former girlfriend had begun dating, this defendant allegedly viciously stabbed Brenda Guadoloupe Alfaro-Alcantara more than 30 times while their 2-year-old child disturbingly watched,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly. “The horrifying scene, and the child smeared with his mother’s blood, were discovered after repeated attempts by family to contact the victim were unsuccessful. We are committed to ensuring justice for Brenda and her loved ones as we prosecute this case.”