Alain Wilfredo Samón Cuadra, a 44-year-old Cuban national, was taken into custody last Thursday in North Fort Myers, Florida. He stands accused of fatally stabbing his partner, an act that authorities are treating as a homicide, according to a statement from the Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO).
The victim has been identified by family members as Yaneicy Hilda Prieto Rodríguez, a 38-year-old Cuban woman and a mother of two daughters, residing in Fort Myers.
Following the crime, Samón Cuadra fled the scene but was soon apprehended by LCSO officers. The arrest, captured on video, was officially shared on the agency's social media platforms.
Crime Scene and Capture
The violent incident took place on Thursday, April 30, around 4:49 p.m., when sheriff's deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call on the 16000 block of Shelby Lane in North Fort Myers.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the woman unconscious, suffering from multiple cuts and stab wounds. Despite the paramedics' efforts from the Emergency Medical Services, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Samón Cuadra attempted to escape in a work truck but was quickly tracked down by LCSO canine units in a nearby wooded area and apprehended without resistance. The arrest video, released by the Sheriff's Office on social media, shows officers instructing him in both English and Spanish: "Put your hands behind your back!"
Investigation and Charges
Witnesses confirmed seeing the suspect with the victim immediately before and during the incident. Preliminary investigations revealed that the two were acquainted and lived together.
Samón Cuadra has been charged with second-degree murder under statute F.S.S. 782.04 and is currently held at the Lee County Jail. The Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation, working closely with the State Attorney's Office.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno condemned the act as "brutal and unacceptable violence," stating, "A life was taken in a horrific manner, and my deputies acted swiftly to identify and capture the suspect. Let it be clear: if you commit such violence, we will find you, arrest you, and ensure you are held fully accountable by the law."
Community Reaction and Ongoing Concerns
Yaneicy Prieto Rodríguez hailed from Regla, Havana, while Alain Samón Cuadra was originally from San Agustín, La Lisa, also in Cuba's capital, as reported by the Facebook page Nio reporting a crime.
Family members of Yaneicy, including her brother, confirmed to the platform that the attacker was the victim's husband. In social media, members of the Cuban community in both South Florida and the island have expressed sorrow and outrage over the crime, demanding justice.
This case adds to a series of violent acts against Cuban women abroad by their partners or ex-partners. Independent observatories OGAT and YSTCC reported that 12 Cuban women were victims of femicide overseas during 2025, six of them in the United States.
Recent cases include Yannelis de la Caridad Casales, who was stabbed to death by her partner in Jacksonville in March 2025. The perpetrator, Carlos Yordanis Aldana, received a 50-year prison sentence. In November of the same year, Aileen Delgado Armas was killed by her husband in Hialeah, in a murder-suicide incident. Meanwhile, in January, Yaimara Leyva Cadet was fatally stabbed by her partner, José Emilio Galán Preval, in Las Vegas, another crime that shocked the Cuban community.
Understanding Violence Against Cuban Women Abroad
What charges is Alain Wilfredo Samón Cuadra facing?
Alain Wilfredo Samón Cuadra is facing charges of second-degree murder under Florida statute F.S.S. 782.04.
How did the authorities capture Samón Cuadra?
Samón Cuadra was captured after fleeing the crime scene. LCSO canine units quickly located him in a nearby wooded area, where he was arrested without incident.
How has the Cuban community reacted to this incident?
The Cuban community, both in South Florida and on the island, has expressed deep sorrow and outrage over the incident, demanding justice for the victim.
What is being done to address violence against Cuban women abroad?
Efforts are ongoing to raise awareness and address the issue of violence against Cuban women abroad, with independent observatories like OGAT and YSTCC documenting cases to advocate for justice and change.