A Florida man allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment in Sarasota and fatally stabbed her in the neck with a screwdriver after finding her in bed with another man, per police.
The 32-year-old suspect later told investigators that he had gone to the apartment because he believed his former girlfriend had invited him to come by.
Josue Zepeda-Urbina was arrested in connection with the death of Cheyna Kimberlin Moreno-Martinez. He was charged with second-degree murder and three counts of burglary of an occupied dwelling.
Police Responded to an Apartment After a Woman Was Found Unresponsive
Sarasota police officers responded to Applegate Apartments, located at 1500 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, at approximately 4 a.m. Sunday after receiving a report about an unresponsive woman.
Per the press release, officers found Moreno-Martinez inside the apartment. Paramedics later pronounced her dead. Investigators began questioning people who were at the apartment to establish what had happened before the woman was found.
Roommate and Another Man Described the Attack
Moreno-Martinez’s roommate told investigators she had known both the victim and the suspect for approximately 15 years. The roommate said she was sleeping in her bedroom when she heard Zepeda-Urbina yell something resembling, “I told you.”
She went to Moreno-Martinez’s room and found her sitting on the bed with blood coming from her neck. The roommate also saw the suspect leaving in his vehicle. Police also spoke with a man who had been in bed with Moreno-Martinez. He told investigators that Zepeda-Urbina entered the room and switched on the lights.
The man recalled the suspect asking, “This is serious. Who is this?” Zepeda-Urbina then allegedly stabbed Moreno-Martinez in the neck with a screwdriver.
Suspect Told Police His Ex Had Invited Him Over
During questioning, Zepeda-Urbina reportedly told investigators that he and Moreno-Martinez had previously been in a relationship but had separated.
He claimed they remained on cordial terms and said she had brought him dinner on the night of the killing. According to police, he also claimed she had told him to “come by later.” Zepeda-Urbina said he went to the apartment after leaving a bar but found the door locked. He then returned to his car and retrieved two screwdrivers.
He said he used one of the tools to get inside before entering Moreno-Martinez’s bedroom and finding her with another man. He allegedly admitted to stabbing the mattress once and Moreno-Martinez once with the screwdriver in his left hand.
Investigators later tracked down Zepeda-Urbina using Flock camera footage. Police said he told them he had gone to a 7-Eleven to buy cigarettes after the attack and before his arrest. Investigators redacted part of his statement in the arrest documents.
Suspect Remained in Prison Without Bond
Zepeda-Urbina, 32, was charged with second-degree murder and three counts of burglary of an occupied dwelling in connection with Moreno-Martinez’s death.
He remained in the Sarasota County Jail without bond, according to the November 4 report. His next court appearance was scheduled for December 4. The charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
