According to police and law enforcement sources, a man from Manhattan is accused of fatally stabbing his ex-girlfriend and then leaving her gory remains in her bathtub in a graphic scene.
At before six o’clock in the evening, police and firefighters broke into Melanie Woods’ flat to do a welfare check. They discovered the 33-year-old resident of Second Avenue with multiple knife wounds and a slash across her neck. The Post was informed Tuesday night by sources and police.
The city medical examiner ruled it a homicide, and emergency medical personnel pronounced her dead at the site.
Although Woods was scheduled to travel to California, she never showed up for her flight, which alarmed her mother and a friend who had been able to locate her phone all the way back to her apartment.
Candido Rodriguez, 51, of West 22nd Street, was her boyfriend. He was taken into custody by police on Thursday afternoon and charged with first-degree murder and unlawful possession of a weapon.
According to authorities, two neighbors reported hearing a disturbance emanating from the apartment that morning before someone shut the door and down the stairs.
One neighbor told police that he spotted Rodriguez on the stairwell at around seven in the morning on Tuesday.
According to sources, police discovered a big table inside the flat that appeared to be obstructing the front door.
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In an online appeal, grieving family members Barbara, Stephen, and Kelly Woods portrayed Melanie as a devoted dog mother who enjoyed exploring new places, traveling extensively, and consistently supporting the underdog.
“To know Melanie was to love her,” they wrote. “She was a vibrant soul who brought out the best in anyone around her, this we will never forget.”
The family said that they wanted to return her to her birthplace California.
More than $28,0000 had already been raised by family members, much more than the $10,000 needed to cremate her and cover the cost of the family’s flight to New York to handle her affairs.
“It’s hard to say goodbye to someone who had a big impact on our lives,” they said. “It’s always hard to lose someone you know, to let go of Melanie, and move on. But if we keep those good memories in our hearts and minds, we can find comfort and Melanie will always be with us.”
“Rest in peace, beautiful girl,” they stated. “We love you so much.”
