Queens Man Charged with Brutal Murder of Wife and Toddler Daughter
A horrific crime unfolded in Queens as 54-year-old Ernesto Cruz allegedly stabbed his 41-year-old wife, Ana Pilatagsi-Moposita, and their 2-year-old daughter, Analiz Cruz, to death in their Ridgewood home. The gruesome act was carried out while Cruz was FaceTiming his nephew, who witnessed the brutal attack unfold on the screen.
Cruz has been charged with two counts of murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection to the killings that shook the neighborhood. Police reported that Cruz stabbed his wife 18 times and his daughter nine times, both in the neck and chest.
The nephew, in a state of panic, immediately called 911 as he watched the murders occur, leading officers to the scene. Upon their arrival, they found Cruz had also stabbed himself in the chest. Despite efforts to save them, both Ana and Analiz succumbed to their injuries at local hospitals.
Cruz, who was hospitalized in stable condition, awaits his arraignment, with the possibility of a virtual hearing from the hospital. While neighbors revealed a history of mental abuse by Cruz towards his wife, police stated that there was no documented domestic violence record with the NYPD.
Describing the couple as seemingly idyllic, neighbors recalled seeing them out with their daughter, leading normal family lives. The shocking nature of the crime left the community reeling, with the woman’s sons desperately trying to reach their mother on the day of the murders.
The tragic incident has left the neighborhood in disbelief, with residents struggling to comprehend the heinous act committed by a man who appeared to be part of a regular, loving family. The investigation into the motives behind the murders continues as the community mourns the loss of Ana and Analiz.
