A video published on social media and shared by the network Univision shows the moment when Cuban Carlos Yordanis Aldana, 38 years old, admitted that he had killed his partner, Yannelis de la Caridad Casales.
In the images -captured by a surveillance camera in the early hours of March 30- a man is seen descending some stairs and opening a door where Carlos Yordanis Aldana can allegedly be heard saying: “I killed her!.”
Univision specified that the confession from the femicide was made to a neighbor, apparently also of Cuban descent.
After expressing surprise at what had happened and saying "You're crazy!", after a brief conversation, the neighbor left and went upstairs to exit the scene.
Al vecino -dressed in a yellow sweater- is heard saying that he will not help the aggressor clean the scene.
The most shocking aspect of the images—besides the confession of the murder itself—is the trail of blood left by Carlos Yordanis Aldana, who was bleeding profusely from his left foot.
According to the video from the mentioned security camera, the confession of the crime to the neighbor took place at 3:17 a.m.
It was 17 minutes later that two police officers descended the same staircase, following the trail of blood that led them to the room where the stabbed body of the 30-year-old Cuban woman was found.
“ My sister didn't deserve this. Nothing that is done will bring her back to me, so let justice be served," requested the victim's brother in a phone call from Cuba, who also commented on the Univision post calling for the death penalty for the murderer.
A romantic relationship marked by misfortune
Yannelis and Carlos met in Cuba when he was already living in the U.S.
Three years ago, during a vacation trip he took to the island, Yordanis was detained due to an ongoing case with the authorities, of which no further details have emerged.
In Cuba, she served a three-year sentence. While she was incarcerated, the young woman traveled to the United States and had the I-220A document.
She was working to settle down, hoping to reunite with her Carlos and build a future together.
On March 16, the couple had an emotional reunion at an airport in Florida.
“You are the dream I always prayed for. Welcome home”, Yannelis wrote on Facebook alongside the video where she welcomed Carlos Yordanis Aldana.
However, less than two weeks later, in the early hours of March 30, Carlos Yordanis Aldana stabbed Yannelis 15 times for reasons that have not been disclosed.
The femicide occurred in an apartment complex in the Arlington area of Jacksonville, in Duval County, Florida.
Upon arriving at the scene, the police found the assailant with stab wounds to his left hand and left shin.
Aldana was attended to by paramedics at the scene and then transferred to a local hospital for treatment.
During the inspection of the site, the officers followed a trail of blood that led them to where the woman's body was found with multiple stab wounds.
After being discharged from the hospital, he was transferred to the Duval County Jail, where he remains in custody.
The family of Yannelis speaks
From Santiago de Cuba, the young woman's father and brother have expressed their shock over the tragedy in recent days.
"How can you think there are a father and a mother?... when she was my only daughter," lamented the young woman's father last week in statements to Telemundo 51.
The young woman's father also said he felt surprised and at a loss for words, as he claims he never believed his son-in-law was "a violent person."
When questioned about the alleged cause of the incident, the victim's parent stated that they did not know and requested assistance in repatriating the young woman's body.
Family and friends of Yannelis have expressed their grief through social media in recent days and have created a campaign on the fundraising platform GoFundMe to cover funeral expenses and fund the repatriation of the body to Cuba.
The fundraising campaign has set a goal of $16,000, of which, at the time of this report, $14,191 has been gathered through a total of 412 donations.
Frequently Asked Questions about the feminicide of Yannelis de la Caridad Casales in Jacksonville
Who is responsible for the murder of Yannelis de la Caridad Casales?
Carlos Yordanis Aldana, Yannelis's partner, is responsible for the murder. The crime occurred in the early morning of March 30 at an apartment complex in Jacksonville, Florida. Aldana admitted to having killed Yannelis and was arrested on the charge of murder.
How did the feminicide of Yannelis Casales happen?
Yannelis Casales was stabbed 15 times by Carlos Yordanis Aldana in an apparent act of domestic violence. The attack occurred less than two weeks after the couple's reunion in the United States, following Aldana's arrival in the country.
What is the legal situation of Carlos Yordanis Aldana?
Carlos Yordanis Aldana is in custody at the Duval County jail, facing murder charges. The community and Yannelis's family have requested that he be charged with first-degree murder due to the severity of the act.
What measures are being taken to repatriate Yannelis's body to Cuba?
Family and friends of Yannelis have launched a campaign on GoFundMe to raise the necessary funds to repatriate her body to Cuba. So far, more than $14,191 has been raised of the $16,000 needed. The family wishes to say a final goodbye in her homeland.
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