A 29-year-old Cuban woman was fatally stabbed in mid-January in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky, allegedly by her partner, who is also the father of her two-year-old daughter.
The suspect, identified as Roberto Buffill-Paredes, aged 43, was apprehended at the scene and faces several charges, including murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence.
The victim was named as Anisleys Font Lantaron by the Fayette County Coroner's Office.
According to an official statement from the Lexington Police Department, officers responded to an emergency call around 10:45 a.m. on January 15 at a residence located in the 2500 block of Larkin Road, within the Surfside Green apartment complex.
Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered a woman with multiple stab wounds, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The coroner later confirmed that the cause of death was due to stab wounds and classified the incident as a homicide.
The accused, Roberto Buffill-Paredes, was taken into custody without incident at the location and is being held at the Fayette County Detention Center with bail set at one million dollars.
Revelations from Court Documents
Court documents, as cited by local media, reveal that after Anisleys' death, the accused cleaned the crime scene and wrapped the victim's body in blankets, in a manner described as "offensive to common family sensibilities."
Authorities also reported that Buffill-Paredes admitted to the actions during an interview, acknowledging both the assault and evidence tampering.
The charges against him include domestic violence murder, mistreatment of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence. He appeared in court for a formal arraignment the Friday following his arrest.
A Community in Shock
The murder has left residents of the building in shock, with many expressing disbelief at the incident.
Jesús Moreno, a long-time resident of the complex and a father of two young children, voiced his surprise to local media.
"It's terrifying. This is a shock to me; I've never experienced anything like this here," Moreno commented.
"People here are very kind, and these are nice apartments. I've never felt unsafe before," he added.
While the police assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community, the event has instilled a sense of fear among some neighbors.
A Family Devastated
The tragedy reverberates beyond Kentucky as Anisleys Font Lantaron's family grapples with grief from afar.
Her sister, Zaendrys Tehuma, resides in Cuba and communicated with local outlets via video call, assisted by a translator.
She shared that she and her sister had a close-knit bond before Anisleys emigrated.
"We were confidants, like best friends," she recounted, adding that maintaining contact became challenging after Anisleys' move to the United States.
"One day, that little girl will ask where her mom is, and her family won't even know what to tell her or what will happen to her now," the victim's sister lamented.
The family also faces the additional challenge of repatriating Anisleys' body to Cuba for burial.
Mixed Reactions on Social Media
The case has sparked a strong reaction on social media, with messages of sorrow, disbelief, and calls for justice, as well as comments reflecting the complex and conflicted nature of the relationship.
Some users highlighted the human tragedy and its impact on the victim's daughter.
"A tragic end. I can't believe it," "So sad, she left her daughter all alone," lamented two users.
Others emphasized the severity of the crime and demanded justice.
"An excellent mother. Now a young girl is left without her mom. Let justice be served," wrote one commenter.
However, messages also emerged from those acquainted with the accused, who, while not excusing the crime, described previous conflicts and a relationship fraught with tensions.
Amid the discussion, other voices asserted that "no one has the right to take a life, especially leaving a child without family."
"No one knows what their relationship was like, but that doesn't justify anything," wrote another user.
The death of Anisleys Font Lantaron adds to the growing list of Cuban women murdered by their partners or ex-partners, both on and off the island, a phenomenon raising alarms among activists and migrant communities.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Crime in Kentucky
Who was Anisleys Font Lantaron?
Anisleys Font Lantaron was a 29-year-old Cuban woman who was fatally stabbed in Lexington, Kentucky. She was the mother of a two-year-old girl.
What charges is Roberto Buffill-Paredes facing?
Roberto Buffill-Paredes faces charges of domestic violence murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence.
How did the community react to the murder?
The murder shocked the local community, with residents expressing disbelief and fear, though police assured that there was no ongoing threat.