Just hours before the alleged killer of Edieski Inocencio Piñeiro is set to appear in Harris County Court in Houston, the young Cuban's widow, Raiza Sosa, has broken her silence. She has shared the ongoing ordeal her family has faced since that tragic day on April 27, when her husband was brutally murdered right outside their home.
Originally from Manzanillo, Cuba, Piñeiro was shot inside his residence in the Alief area of southwest Houston. The accused, Andrés Fernández de la Paz, who was previously Piñeiro's brother-in-law, has been charged with the crime and faces murder charges. Prosecutors assert that Fernández arrived at the house armed, fired through the door, and fled the scene, with the entire act captured on video.
Since then, both the family in Houston and those in Cuba have struggled to cope with the sudden and violent loss. In an interview with Telemundo Houston, the widow expressed her determination, stating that despite the difficulty of attending court hearings, she will not give up: “I will keep fighting until justice is served,” she declared.
A Community in Shock
The case has sent shockwaves through the Cuban community in the United States, not only because of the crime's brutality but also due to its devastating impact on a migrant family just starting their new life. Piñeiro, 34, was a hardworking man who had recently arrived from Cuba, supporting his loved ones on both sides of the Florida Straits.
A Troubling Criminal History
Fernández had been married to Piñeiro’s sister for at least a year. According to close acquaintances, the relationship between the two men was strained, marred by threats as Fernández had reportedly vowed to kill his ex-wife, her family, and then flee to Mexico.
The accused was apprehended on April 28, one day after the murder, and remains in custody with a bail set at $500,000. In the most recent hearing, Judge Verónica Nelson denied a request to reduce the bail to $15,000 after the prosecution presented substantial evidence, including prior threats and Fernández's intent to escape to Mexico.
Beyond the murder charge, Fernández has a criminal record involving fraud and organized crime in other counties. Law enforcement sources disclosed to Click 2 Houston that since 2022, the FBI has been investigating him for leading a card cloning operation in Texas. He was arrested in 2023 after placing skimming devices at gas stations and was also linked to fraudulent purchases with stolen cards, although released on bail. Additionally, he faced a murder charge in 2016, which was dismissed due to questions about the identity of the perpetrator and a possible claim of self-defense.
Immigration Complications
Fernández's immigration status further complicates the case. He entered the United States in 2014 with a temporary parole that expired without him leaving the country, and has several ICE-issued immigration detainers from previous arrests.
Piñeiro's family has been vocal in their public plea for justice, insisting that the accused should not be granted release and should face the maximum penalty. “Edieski's life cannot go unpunished,” his widow has stated, remaining steadfast in her commitment to honor the memory of the man with whom she had built a familial and migratory life project.
Key Questions About the Piñeiro Case
Who is the accused in the Edieski Piñeiro murder case?
The accused is Andrés Fernández de la Paz, the former brother-in-law of the victim, Edieski Piñeiro.
What charges is Andrés Fernández facing?
Andrés Fernández is facing charges of murder and has a criminal record involving fraud and organized crime.
How has the Cuban community in the U.S. reacted to the murder?
The Cuban community in the U.S. has been deeply shocked by the brutality of the crime and its impact on a family that was beginning a new life.