A fatal argument over a child’s future ends in a Las Vegas home, leaving a family shattered.
LAS VEGAS, NV – A 38-year-old man is in custody after police say he strangled his wife during a dispute about where to raise their young daughter, an incident that unfolded early Tuesday morning in a central Las Vegas neighborhood. Officers were called to a residence on Esmeralda Avenue after the man himself dialed 911 seeking medical help, only to later admit the woman was not breathing.
Roelmer Sanchez-Garrido faces one count of open murder in the death of Vanesa Rodrigues-Valdes, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. Paramedics arrived to find Sanchez-Garrido pacing outside the home with the couple’s 2-year-old daughter, while inside, Rodrigues-Valdes was discovered lying on the floor covered with a blanket.
Emergency crews observed bruising on the woman’s face and neck along with early signs of rigor mortis, prompting them to alert police. A responding officer determined the death appeared suspicious due to visible injuries.
Dispute over child’s future
Investigators said Sanchez-Garrido told officers the couple had been arguing about whether to take their daughter to Cuba. During that confrontation, he allegedly admitted that “something bad happened.” A police spokesperson previously said, “Sometime during that argument, it turned physical, resulting in the death of his wife.”
Neighbors told investigators the disagreement had been escalating. One neighbor reported that earlier in the day, Rodrigues-Valdes asked for help hiding the family’s passports so Sanchez-Garrido could not access them. According to police, the neighbor said the woman wanted to raise their daughter in Cuba, while the man wanted to remain in the United States to continue working.
Another neighbor said he was awakened around 2 a.m. by banging on his window. When he went outside, he saw Sanchez-Garrido at his gate. The neighbor told police the man handed him containers of jewelry and contact information for family members, stating he had done something “very bad,” and asked him to call 911.
Custodial interview details
During questioning at police headquarters, Sanchez-Garrido again described the argument over their daughter’s future. Investigators said he admitted that at some point he grabbed Rodrigues-Valdes by the throat and squeezed. He allegedly told police he could not recall what happened next, but then realized she had stopped breathing and collapsed.
According to the arrest report, Sanchez-Garrido said he attempted CPR but was unsuccessful. He then covered her body with a blanket, telling investigators it was so their daughter would not see what had happened.
He remains in custody as the case moves forward in court.
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