Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a Roosevelt man was arraigned on murder charges for the stabbing death of his former girlfriend in front of their two-year-old child.
Jose William Funes-Zabala, 43, was arraigned today before Judge Howard Sturim on charges of Murder in the Second Degree (an A-I felony), Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (a D felony) and Endangering the Welfare of a Child (an A misdemeanor). The defendant pleaded not guilty and was remanded. He is due back in court 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 DA 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.”
DA Donnelly said that on October 4, 2024, an order of protection against the defendant, 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., the defendant visited Alfaro Alcantara’s basement apartment on Botsford Street in Hempstead to visit their two-year-old son.
An argument allegedly began between the defendant and the victim when Funes-Zabala learned that Alfaro-Alcantara had started dating. The defendant 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.
The victim and child were later discovered in the apartment by relatives after family members were unable to contact Alfaro-Alcantara.
Funes-Zabala was arrested on October 6, 2024, at Nassau University Medical Center by members of the Nassau County Police Department Homicide Squad.
The case is being prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel Ania Pulaski of the Homicide Bureau, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Jared Rosenblatt, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Litigation Division Kevin Higgins. The defendant is represented by Brian Carmody, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.