José Emilio Galán Preval, a 46-year-old doctor from Santiago de Cuba, has been detained in Las Vegas, Nevada, following accusations of murdering his partner during a heated domestic altercation on January 23, 2026. Reports suggest the victim was also Cuban, originally from Palma Soriano.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) stated that officers responded to a stabbing report at approximately 12:56 p.m. on the 1800 block of Canosa Avenue, near Eastern and Sahara avenues.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the woman with multiple stab wounds. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries soon after, as reported by news3lv.com.
The alleged attacker was apprehended without incident and is being held at the Clark County Detention Center, formally charged with open murder with a deadly weapon. Authorities confirmed that the incident occurred amid a domestic dispute.
Sources from social media and independent outlets have claimed that both Galán Preval and the victim defected from a Cuban medical mission in Venezuela before settling in the United States. However, these claims remain unverified by this publication.
Galán Preval worked as an optometrist, while the victim, identified only as Yaimara at the time of writing, was employed as a rehabilitator.
On his public Facebook profile, Galán Preval lists Santiago de Cuba as his residence and Palma Soriano as his hometown, with education at the Higher Institute of Medical Sciences of Santiago de Cuba, Faculty 2, under the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP). These details align with his professional history within the Cuban healthcare system.
Another Facebook account shows him as a graduate in Optometry and Optics from the University of Medical Sciences of Santiago de Cuba, and notes his previous residence in Clarksville, Tennessee, before moving to Las Vegas. The profile, last updated on December 4, 2023, presents him as single and features recent photos in the United States.
The existence of two active accounts suggests a transition between locations, consistent with local media reports of his travels across multiple states after arriving in the U.S. in 2023.
In a post dated March 28, 2025, Galán Preval confirmed his move to Las Vegas, indicating his residence there for at least nine months prior to the crime. Neither of his active Facebook accounts at the time of writing showed any images of the victim, believed to be his partner.
In earlier posts from 2014 on his older profile, the doctor shared photos with two girls he referred to as "my princesses" and "my babies," suggesting he has two daughters from his time in Cuba before emigrating.
Galán Preval refused to appear in court for his initial hearing, scheduled for Saturday, January 24, with his next court date set for Tuesday. If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence without the possibility of parole under Nevada state law.
The Clark County Coroner's Office is responsible for officially confirming the victim's identity and cause of death, though social media has identified her as Yaimara, a Cuban from Palma Soriano also involved in healthcare work.
This tragic incident of domestic violence has sent shockwaves through the Cuban exile community, particularly among healthcare professionals who left the regime's missions to start anew outside the island.
Key Questions About the Las Vegas Incident
Who is José Emilio Galán Preval?
José Emilio Galán Preval is a Cuban doctor accused of murdering his partner in Las Vegas. He previously worked as an optometrist and defected from a Cuban medical mission in Venezuela before moving to the United States.
What led to the arrest of Galán Preval?
Galán Preval was arrested after allegedly stabbing his partner during a domestic dispute in Las Vegas. Police responded to a report of the incident, which resulted in the victim's death from multiple stab wounds.
What is known about the victim?
The victim was identified as Yaimara, a Cuban from Palma Soriano. She worked as a rehabilitator and was reportedly involved in a domestic relationship with Galán Preval.
What are the legal consequences for Galán Preval if convicted?
If found guilty, Galán Preval could face a life sentence without the possibility of parole, according to Nevada state law.