QUEENS, NY — A 54-year-old man has been indicted on multiple murder charges in the stabbing deaths of his wife and 2-year-old daughter inside their Ridgewood apartment, prosecutors announced.
Ernesto Cruz, of Forest Avenue, was arraigned on charges of first-degree murder, two counts of second-degree murder, and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He is accused of fatally stabbing his wife, 41-year-old Ana Alexandra Pilatagsi Moposita, and their daughter, Analiz Cruz Pilatagsi, on July 19 at around 7:15 p.m.
Both victims were found bleeding and unresponsive inside their home on Forest Avenue and were pronounced dead at local hospitals.
According to the investigation, Cruz also stabbed himself in the chest and cut his wrist in an apparent suicide attempt before being taken to the hospital for surgery.
Queens Criminal Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder remanded Cruz, who is due back in court on October 16. If convicted, he faces life in prison without parole.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Ryan Nicolosi of the Homicide Bureau, with support from other senior prosecutors in the Queens District Attorney’s office.