Benjamin Garcia Gual accused of fatally stabbing Carmen Martinez-Silva
A Pennsylvania man fatally stabbed his girlfriend in a wild attack that was sparked because he hated her new haircut, according to cops.
Benjamin Garcia Gual was arrested and charged with the murder of Carmen Martinez-Silva on Sunday afternoon after he allegedly hunted her down at her brother’s house in East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County authorities said.
Gual, 49, allegedly knifed the 50-year-old girlfriend because he was upset that she cut her hair, the victim’s daughter told police, according to court docs reported on by PennLive.
She claimed to investigators he threatened to stab her mother over it, forcing Martinez-Silva to stay overnight at the daughter’s home.
After leaving her daughter’s home, Martinez-Silva stopped by her brother’s home while asking another friend to tell Gual the relationship was over, the probable cause affidavit states.
Gual couldn’t be found at his mobile home, and instead went to Martinez-Silva’s brother’s home in an attempt to speak with his girlfriend.
The first time, the brother told the alleged killer she wasn’t there, but when he came back a second time minutes later, he allegedly started stabbing the sibling.
Martinez-Silva intervened and then her beau allegedly started attacking her in a frenzy, according to the affidavit.
Martinez-Silva was found dead at the scene by cops while her brother suffered multiple stab wounds. Two other people trying to break up the stabbing spree were nearly knifed by the suspect, authorities said.
Police found Gual still at the scene in his car with “knife in hand” and blood on the weapon according to docs.
He’s facing charges of homicide, attempted homicide, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment, WHTM reported.
He is being held in Lancaster jail without bail.
