Edmonton police have laid charges against a man in connection to the slaying of a woman in a southeast mobile home park in late July, and police have confirmed it was a case of domestic violence.
Police said Wednesday that Jimmy Steve Rivas-Magana, 26, had been charged with second degree murder in the death of his wife of a few months, Yeny Alfaro, also 26.
Alfaro’s body was found July 21, after police were called to a home at the Oakridge Mobile Home Park early that morning, but investigators believe the actual incident may have taken place the day before.
“We have evidence to support that that offence actually occurred on the 20th,” EPS Detective Ryan Tebb said.
Alfaro’s name was released after an autopsy was completed; the Medical Examiner confirmed the woman had died from a stab wound to the chest.
EPS had issued an arrest warrant for Rivas-Magana July 25, and accused was interviewed by detectives and charged Tuesday.
Investigators said Rivas-Magana was injured in a car crash near Calgary July 21 – and he was released from hospital Tuesday, when police charged him.
“We’re hopeful that we’re able to bring some degree of closure to the family by bringing forward these charges,” Tebb said.
“Maybe, if anything we can take out of this, we can encourage people to come forward with issues of domestic violence before it gets to this point.”
With files from Susan Amerongen
