A 43-year-old man was arrested in Pennsylvania for the murder of his wife and mother-in-law, after police said they were able to link him to the case through a bloody glove left at the scene.
Leandro Barberena was arrested and charged with two counts of murder for the deaths of Alma Barberena58 years old, and his mother, Angela Trejo75 years old, authorities reported.
According to the Philadelphia Police Department, officers responded to a report at 6000 Bingham Street on May 21 regarding two women with stab wounds.
During a press conference, Philadelphia Police Homicide Unit Inspector Ernest Ransom confirmed that Leandro Barberena was the individual who initially called 911 to report the two bodies in the house, detailing that they were “covered in blood.”
Upon arriving at the scene, first responders entered the home and discovered two female victims, later identified as Alma Barberena and her mother, in the basement of the home.
Both women were covered in blood and appeared to suffer multiple stab wounds “all over their bodies.” Medical personnel pronounced both women dead.
The police said that A bloody glove recovered from the scene quickly became key evidence.
“We discovered a glove covered in blood at the crime scene,” Ransom said. “A search warrant was executed on Mr. Barberena’s vehicle and we located a matching glove.”
Authorities also noted that Leandro Barberena had wounds on his hands. He told authorities that the injuries were due to recently laying tiles.
According to the court report, on May 21 Alma Barberena visited her parents’ house to help them with a telemedical appointment. Sometime between 11 a.m. and noon, Leandro came home and stabbed his wife and his mother-in-law.
About two hours after the alleged attack, the attacker called the police.
Authorities have not speculated on a possible motive for the slayings, and police said they had not previously responded to any domestic dispute calls at the couple’s home.
For their part, neighbors described Trejo as a kind woman who lived with her husband. They also described the area where the fatal double stabbing occurred as a safe, family-friendly neighborhood.
“You might think this is a very safe environment.”Marylee Rodríguez, a neighbor, told NBC10. “So for two women to be dead, that breaks my heart. Honestly speaking,” she added.
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