Quantcast

Boyfriend of slain Woodhaven teen charged in city’s first homicide of 2016

Woodhaven murder web
RIDGEWOOD TIMES/Photo by Anthony Giudice

Detectives appear to have solved the city’s first murder case of the new year.

Fabian Maliza, the boyfriend of Woodhaven resident Joceline Romo, 19, has been charged with her murder, police reported.

According to law enforcement agents, Maliza, 24, was arrested and charged with second-degree murder on Jan. 5 after being held in police custody at Jamaica Hospital for psychiatric evaluation.

“This is a truly troubling case. A young woman is dead and her live-in boyfriend now stands accused of killing her.  Domestic violence is one of the most primitive and savage crimes in our society,” said Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown. “A woman should feel safe and secure at home, but this New Year’s Day – a holiday marking the start of a new year – instead marked the end for a young woman allegedly at the hands of the man who professed to love her.”

According to the criminal complaint, Maliza allegedly repeatedly punched Romo, in the face, head and body on Jan. 1. Maliza is alleged to have applied pressure to Romo’s neck, which caused her to stop breathing and her heart to stop beating. Romo’s lifeless body was found face-down in her bed at 10:46 p.m. that night.

If convicted, Maliza faces up to 25 years to life in prison.