Suffolk County, NY – A Central Islip man admitted in court Tuesday that he tried to kill his wife by stabbing and strangling her as she slept, a brutal attack that left her hospitalized and led to his arrest months later after a drunken crash. Rodolfo Alvarez, 35, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and multiple related charges and now faces up to 25 years in prison at sentencing.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney announced the plea, calling the case a severe act of domestic violence carried out when the victim was “most vulnerable.”
Violent Attack While Victim Slept
Prosecutors say the assault happened on May 10, 2024, inside the couple’s Central Islip home. According to court documents and Alvarez’s own admissions, he stabbed his wife in the back with a kitchen knife while she slept, then strangled her until she lost consciousness.
Authorities said Alvarez dragged her to the floor and continued strangling her until a relative entered the room after learning police were on the way. Alvarez fled before officers arrived, leaving the victim seriously injured.
She was rushed to South Shore University Hospital, where she received treatment for her injuries.
Months on the Run End With Crash
Police were unable to locate Alvarez for more than four months. The case took a turn on September 26, 2024, when he allegedly rear-ended and sideswiped his wife’s vehicle while she was driving to work.
The collision caused Alvarez’s car to roll over. He fled the scene on foot but was quickly found by officers nearby, who noted signs of intoxication. A blood test taken about an hour later showed a blood alcohol content of .22—nearly three times the legal limit.
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Key Points
• Rodolfo Alvarez pleaded guilty to attempted murder and multiple felony charges
• Prosecutors say he stabbed and strangled his wife while she slept in May 2024
• He was arrested months later after crashing into her car while intoxicated
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Extensive Charges Filed
In addition to attempted murder, Alvarez pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree assault, multiple counts of second-degree assault, strangulation, aggravated DWI, and several misdemeanor offenses, including endangering the welfare of a child and leaving the scene of an incident resulting in injury.
The charges reflect both the initial attack and the later crash that led to his capture.
“This office treats domestic violence as the serious violent crime that it is, and we always pursue these cases aggressively from start to finish,” District Attorney Tierney said.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Alvarez entered his guilty plea before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz. He is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on June 26, 2026.
Prosecutors said he faces up to 25 years in prison. He is currently represented by defense attorney Gerard Donnelly.
Investigation and Prosecution
The case was investigated by detectives from the Suffolk County Police Department’s Third and Fourth Squads. It is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Katherine Flinchum of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau.
Current Status
Rodolfo Alvarez remains in custody and is awaiting sentencing, where he could receive a prison term of up to 25 years following his guilty plea to attempted murder and related charges.