A disturbing domestic violence case from Las Vegas has come to light, where a man is accused of killing his wife during an argument about their child’s future. The incident has shocked the local community, especially because it happened in the presence of their young daughter.
Man Accused of Killing Wife During Argument
Roelmer Sanchez-Garrido, 38, has been arrested and charged with open murder in connection with the death of his wife, Vanesa Rodrigues-Valdes.
According to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, the incident took place early Tuesday morning at a home on Esmeralda Avenue in central Las Vegas.
911 Call and Scene Details
Police say Sanchez-Garrido himself called emergency services around 3 a.m., initially asking for medical help because his wife was injured. He later told responders that she was not breathing.
When paramedics arrived, they found him outside the house pacing back and forth while holding their 2-year-old daughter. Inside the home, they discovered Rodrigues-Valdes lying on the floor with a blanket covering her body.
Once the blanket was removed, paramedics noticed signs that raised immediate concern, including bruises on her face and neck and early signs of rigor mortis. These observations suggested that her death was not natural, prompting them to call the police.
Argument Over Child’s Future
During questioning, Sanchez-Garrido told officers that he and his wife had been arguing about where to raise their daughter.
The disagreement centred on whether to move back to Cuba or stay in the United States.
According to investigators, the argument became physical. Sanchez-Garrido allegedly admitted that he grabbed his wife by the throat and squeezed.
He later claimed he could not fully remember what happened next but realised she had stopped breathing.
Neighbour Accounts Add More Details
Statements from neighbours provided further insight into the situation. One neighbour told police that earlier that same day, Rodrigues-Valdes had asked for help hiding the family’s passports. She was reportedly worried that her husband might take them.
The neighbour explained that the woman wanted to return to Cuba with their daughter, while Sanchez-Garrido wanted to remain in the U.S. to earn more money.
Another neighbour reported being awakened around 2 a.m. by someone banging on his window. When he checked, he saw Sanchez-Garrido outside the gate.
The man handed him containers filled with jewellery and gave him phone numbers of family members. He also reportedly said he had done something “very bad” and asked the neighbour to call 911.
Suspect’s Statement to Police
During a formal police interview, Sanchez-Garrido repeated that the argument escalated and became violent. He said he grabbed his wife by the throat in anger. After realising she was not breathing, he tried to perform CPR, but it did not work.
He also told investigators that he covered her body with a blanket to prevent their young daughter from seeing what had happened.
Current Legal Status
Sanchez-Garrido has been taken into custody and is currently facing serious charges. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities will continue to gather evidence as the case moves through the legal system.
This tragic case highlights how quickly personal disagreements can turn into life-threatening situations, especially when emotions run high. A disagreement about the future of a child ended in a devastating loss, leaving a young girl without her mother.
As the legal process continues, the focus will remain on uncovering the full truth and ensuring justice is served. The incident also serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing conflict in safe and non-violent ways, particularly within families.
