Friday, March 21, 2025
A Roosevelt man has been charged with murder after allegedly stabbing his former girlfriend to death in front of their two-year-old child.
Jose William Funes-Zabala, 43, was arraigned on Feb. 10 before Judge Howard Sturim on charges of murder, criminal possession of a weapon and endangering the welfare of a child.
He pleaded not guilty and was remanded. His next court appearance is Feb. 27.
If convicted, he 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,” Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a news release. “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.”
Donnelly said that an order of protection against Funes-Zabala, issued on behalf of Alfaro Alcantara, 29, had expired on Oct. 4 of last year..
The following day, near 6 p.m., he arrived at her basement apartment on Botsford Street in Hempstead to see their son.
An argument broke out when he learned about her new relationship, and he allegedly stabbed over 30 times in her bedroom.
Roughly an hour later, Funes-Zabala was seen leaving the apartment with what appeared to be blood on his face. He left, leaving the child inside.
Concerned relatives later found Alfaro Alcantara and her child after being unable to contact her.
Funes-Zabala was taken into custody on Oct. 6, at Nassau University Medical Center by the Nassau County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.
Funes-Zabala is being represented by attorney Brian Carmody.
