Police investigate fatal stabbing near Eubank and Lomas
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
Albuquerque police are investigating a fatal stabbing that happened near Lomas and Eubank on Monday.
Detectives say Michael Cain, 39, is accused of stabbing his neighbor, 22-year-old Esmeralda Romero, multiple times outside the leasing office at the Albuquerque Encore Apartments, located at 810 Eubank Blvd., NE.
Cain had complained to an apartment employee about water spilling from Romero’s patio onto his patio. The employee told Cain they would handle the issue.
Cain left the office and got into a verbal altercation with Romero and returned to the leasing office to complain a second time about the leak. The employee repeated that the issue would be handled. Cain walked outside and waited.
While Cain waited, Romero went to the office and complained to the employee about Cain. Romero said sometimes water drips from her dog’s bowl and Cain accuses her of purposely pouring water onto his patio. She said Cain had gone to her apartment and banged on the door, harassing her about the water. The employee said she told Romero she was trying to work things out between them and recommended she call security or 911 if Cain threatened her.
As Romero walked out of the office, the employee said she saw Cain run from the parking lot and attack Romero. She then noticed Cain was holding Romero as he stabbed her multiple times. Romero fell to the floor.
The employee said Cain turned toward and walked toward her with the knife after the stabbing. He walked past the employee and fled on foot and dropped a knife with a white hand towel just behind the apartment on the sidewalk. Cain then called 911 and made statements about stabbing someone. He was located in the alleyway near 10509 San Jacinto NE, where he was taken into custody. There was a knife located at that location as well. Romero had a few cuts on his hand.
He is currently being treated at a local hospital and will be booked into MDC. He is charged with an open count of murder and tampering with evidence.
Homicide detectives are investigating the incident.
