Villa Mella: Man arrested for decapitating 68-year-old neighbor

The National Police have detained 27-year-old Nelfi Martínez for the alleged decapitation of 68-year-old Juan José Almánzar in the Mata San Juan community of Villa Mella, Santo Domingo Norte. The incident occurred on the morning of Friday, October 23, 2026.

According to community members, the victim and the suspect were acquaintances who often sat together to converse. Witnesses reported that the suspect may have hidden in the area to launch a surprise attack once the victim sat down. One neighbor, Rafael Agramonte, reported discovering the body after hearing noises and narrowly avoided a confrontation with the assailant by standing his ground.

Residents described Almánzar as a peaceful man who suffered from leg complications and relied on his children for financial support. Some neighbors expressed fear of the suspect, noting his presence in local drug-related areas and alleging he had exhibited erratic behavior for years. Investigations by the Subdirectorate of Investigation are ongoing to determine the exact motive behind the attack.