ALBUQUERQUE, NM – A 22-year-old woman was killed Monday afternoon outside a leasing office after a dispute with her downstairs neighbor, who is now facing an open count of murder and additional charges. The incident unfolded at the Albuquerque Encore Apartments, where both individuals lived, turning what began as a maintenance complaint into a fatal encounter.
Michael Cain, 39, was taken into custody and booked into the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center without bail. Jail records show he is charged with an open count of murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and tampering with evidence in the death of Esmeralda Linette Romero.
Dispute before the attack
According to court documents cited by local outlets, Cain had complained earlier Monday that water was dripping from Romero’s patio onto his own. A leasing office employee told him the issue would be addressed.
Romero later went to the same office and reported that Cain had come to her apartment, banged on her door, and harassed her. She told staff the water may have come from her dog’s bowl and denied intentionally pouring water onto the patio below. The employee advised her to contact security or call 911 if she felt threatened.
The situation escalated shortly after Romero left the office. Authorities allege Cain approached her from the parking lot and attacked her with a knife, stabbing her multiple times.
Arrest and charges
Investigators say Cain fled the scene after the attack, later dropping the knife and calling 911, where he reportedly referenced stabbing someone. Responding officers located and arrested him nearby.
Authorities noted Cain had an apparent hand injury and was transported to a hospital for treatment before being booked into jail.
Romero was pronounced dead from her injuries. The case remains under investigation as prosecutors proceed with the charges against Cain.
