Related videos:
The brutal attack suffered by Yunis Valdés on July 24 in her apartment in Miami-Dade has taken a new turn: Manuel Salgado Peña, the main suspect in the crime and former partner of the victim, was finally arrested after being on the run for nearly a week.
Meanwhile, Yunis' sister broke the silence with a chilling testimony that reveals the family's anguish and the history of harassment that preceded the attempted femicide.
Arrest of the suspect
In the early hours of this Friday, the authorities of Miami-Dade County confirmed that Manuel Salgado Peña was arrested.
He faces serious charges, including attempted murder with a knife, robbery with aggression, and aggravated assault. His capture concludes an intense search that began after the attack, which took place in an apartment complex in northwest Miami-Dade at the intersection of NW 172nd Street and NW 94th Court.
The arrest of Salgado Peña represents a significant advancement in a case that has caused concern, particularly due to the violence of the act and because it was perpetrated in front of the victim's minor daughter.
Heartbreaking testimony: The victim's sister speaks
A week after the attack, Yunis Valdés' sister decided to share what happened from her perspective, revealing chilling details of that day to the media. Her testimony reflects the helplessness experienced and the deep trauma affecting the entire family.
“The girl is calling me, screaming: ‘Aunt, aunt... run, run... Manny is stabbing my mom...’”, she narrated through tears.
It was that call for help that alerted the family to the tragedy unfolding within Yunis's apartment.
"I went out... what can I say... I'm upset about this whole story," she confessed, visibly affected. "And I'm worried about my sister... about the little girl and about us, the family..." she added.
the sister reported a prolonged pattern of harassment that had intensified following the end of the relationship between Yunis and Salgado Peña ten months ago.
"My sister didn't want to communicate with him... It was constant harassment... my sister had to move from Florida to avoid being bothered, to let time pass... and he was still there, still..." she described
The victim remains hospitalized in critical condition
Yunis Valdés, 48 years old, remains hospitalized in critical condition at Jackson Memorial Hospital North.
The attack caused him between eight and ten stab wounds, and he has suffered severe damage to multiple vital organs: lungs, liver, colon, one kidney, and the pericardium.
They removed his spleen, and he has numerous defensive wounds on his hands, a reflection of his attempt to protect himself during the assault.
The crime scene was described as shocking: blood on the stairs of the building, personal belongings scattered, and the victim seriously injured being carried out on a stretcher by paramedics.
Everything happened in front of her youngest daughter, whose identity is kept protected.
In light of the difficult medical and emotional situation, the family is also facing a significant financial challenge. Therefore, they have set up a donation page aimed at covering medical expenses and support for the minor.
"We are really very worried," her sister reiterated.
The family is united in the hope of recovery, but also in the pursuit of justice for Yunis.
Filed under: