Woman Found Stabbed to Death in Bathtub After Missing Flight, Police Arrest Estranged Boyfriend

Esme Mazzeo

26 April 2024 at 1:51 pm·2-min read

Melanie Woods was found stabbed to death in the bathtub of her East Harlem apartment on Tuesday, April 23

<p>Gofundme</p> Melanie Woods — Gofundme
Melanie Woods

A man has been arrested in connection with the death of a woman who was found stabbed to death in her New York City apartment after missing a flight to California, according to multiple reports.

Melanie Woods was found stabbed to death in the bathtub of her apartment in East Harlem by the New York Police Department (NYPD) on Tuesday, April 23, police said, per AMNY, PIX 11 , Daily News and other outlets.

Police found Woods, who was in her 30s, unresponsive while conducting a wellness check at the request of her family after she missed a flight to California, AMNY, PIX 11 Daily News and NBC 4 New York reported.

Woods was found in her home covered in blood and with puncture wounds on the left side of her torso and a laceration on her neck, the NYPD said, according to PIX 11. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Per NBC 4 New York, police had difficulty entering the apartment because of a table placed against the door.

AMNY, PIX 11 Daily News reported that her estranged boyfriend, Candido Rodriguez, was arrested on murder and weapons possession charges on Thursday, April 25. It's not immediately clear if Rodriguez has entered a plea or retained an attorney.

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A GoFundMe has been set up in Woods's honor.

"To know Melanie was to love her," the GoFundMe states. "Melanie was a lover of traveling, a best friend to many, an adventure seeker, a loving dog mom, she was someone who always rooted for the underdog and loved to see people thrive and succeed."

"She was a vibrant soul who brought out the best in anyone around her, this we will never forget."

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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