Man charged with stabbing ex-girlfriend to death in East Harlem

The Chelsea man who stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death in her East Harlem apartment Last month, after she returned from walking her dog, she was charged with second-degree murder, Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney announced Tuesday.

Candido Rodriguez, 51, was arrested two days after allegedly stabbing to death his ex-girlfriend, Melanie Woods, 33, on Tuesday, April 23 around 6:15 a.m. in her Second Avenue apartment. That day, officers from the 25th Precinct responded to a 911 call for a well-being check at the residence around 6:11 p.m.

When officers arrived, they found Woods unconscious and unresponsive in her bathtub, authorities said, with multiple stab wounds all over her body and a laceration to her neck.

Emergency medical services were on scene and pronounced Woods dead at the scene.

That morning, the prosecutor's office said: Rodriguez allegedly went to Woods' home while she was walking her dog. When she returned home around 7:15 a.m., neighbors heard chaos, including screams and noises coming from inside the apartment. The ruckus stopped around 8 a.m., at which point neighbors said they heard Woods' door open and footsteps coming down the stairs.

According to court documents, Rodriguez left the building around 8:05 a.m. and hailed a taxi.

Meanwhile, a friend became concerned after not hearing from Woods all day and called 911 for a wellness check. When police found the victim, he had more than a dozen stab wounds, including six-inch-deep wounds to his torso and stab wounds to his neck.

On Tuesday, May 28, Rodriquez was indicted in New York State Supreme Court on one count of second-degree murder.

“As alleged, Candido Rodriguez brutally murdered Melanie Woods, his ex-girlfriend, in her apartment after waiting for her to return from walking her dog. I send my deepest condolences to Ms. Woods’ family and friends as they continue to mourn her loss,” Bragg said. “MS. Woods' life was tragically cut short, and my Office will work to achieve justice for her.

The couple had been in an on-and-off relationship since 2023, but weeks before the brutal killing, Woods broke up with Rodriguez, the prosecutor's office said.

If convicted of the murder, Rodriguez faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

The District Attorney's Office urges anyone who is a victim of abuse or knows someone who is being abused by a current or former partner to call the office's hotline at 212-335-4308.