Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

Ex-Girlfriend Arrested In Brutal Brooklyn Stabbing


By

Garth Johnston

Published Dec 23, 2011

Modified Dec 23, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Garth Johnston

Published Dec 23, 2011

Modified Dec 23, 2011


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Police have arrested an ex-girlfriend of a 53-year-old man found brutally stabbed to death on the bathroom floor in his Lefferts Gardens apartment yesterday. The body of Melvin Vargas was found by his building superintendent and his brother Thursday morning. "When they opened the door, we saw everything broken and there was blood on the wall," Sal Vargas told CBS.

Police quickly arrested Esmerilda Morales, who Vargas reportedly broke up with last year, and charged her with murder and criminal possession of a weapon. NYPD says that she can be seen leaving Vargas' building with a box Wednesday night, shortly after he is thought to have been killed. Police have not given a motive for the murder, but witnesses say that an air conditioner "along with several other items from the apartment" had been pushed from the apartment's window "as if there was a fierce struggle."

Friends and family are understandably in shock, "Everybody loved this guy. He was the heart of the family," nephew Vinny Ortiz said. Reportedly when Vargas' mother was told the news she collapsed in grief and had to be hospitalized. She is said to now be doing much better.

Tagged

brooklyn

lefferts gardens

melvin vargas

nypd

stabbing


Garth Johnston

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

In East Brooklyn, aging NYCHA homes get a $636M upgrade

The improvements to at the Reid & Park Rock developments come has the agency wrestles with a multibillion-dollar backlog in needed repairs.

By

Willow Higgins

Published Oct 26, 2026 at 6:30 a.m. ET


What NYers can expect as open enrollment for health insurance begins

Some consumers will face higher prices partly brought on by federal spending cuts.

By

Caroline Lewis

News

What NYers can expect as open enrollment for health insurance begins

Some consumers will face higher prices partly brought on by federal spending cuts.

By

Caroline Lewis


Why New Yorkers should care about bats beyond spooky season

By

Catalina Gonella

Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election

By

Jill Webb

and

Michael Sol Warren

Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail

By

Michael Sol Warren


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .