Boyfriend Arrested After Claiming His Girlfriend, Anthonella Contreras Linarez, 30, Was Stabbed in Car Ambush — Details

A quiet night out spiraled into horror when a Bronx man claimed his girlfriend was stabbed in a roadside ambush — but what began as a tale of survival has turned into a murder investigation, with police now saying the entire story was a lie.

Franklin Batallas, 44, is now facing charges of murder, manslaughter, and criminal possession of a weapon following the grisly death of Anthonella Contreras Linarez, 30, in a case that has shocked a Bronx community and left a grieving family demanding answers.

A Twisted Tale That Fell Apart

The fatal incident occurred around 8 p.m. on September 15, 2025, near Park Drive and City Island Road in the Bronx. According to police, Batallas initially claimed the couple were en route to dinner on City Island when Linarez needed to use the bathroom, prompting them to pull over near Rodman's Neck.

That's when Batallas said their peaceful evening turned into a nightmare. He told investigators that two men on a moped suddenly appeared with knives, tried to rob Linarez, and began attacking her when she refused. They then reportedly stabbed her while her boyfriend ran off.

Batallas insisted he had returned to fend off the assailants, suffering a stab wound to his own arm in the process. He then raced Linarez to New Rochelle Montefiore Hospital, where she was tragically pronounced dead.

Sources said she had suffered extensive stab wounds to her face, neck, and body. Batallas was treated for minor cuts to both arms and released shortly after.

No Moped, No Ambush, and No Attackers

But in a stunning twist, investigators say surveillance footage tells a very different story. According to the NYPD, Department of Transportation cameras show the couple driving to Seafood City at 6:15 p.m. — with no evidence of a moped following them, and no sign of any outside attackers.

When questioned again, Batallas allegedly doubled down — claiming the men had been tailing them and were dressed in "dark-colored hoodies." He claimed one attacker entered the vehicle and began stabbing Linarez in the face while Batallas stood outside.

Despite his claims, detectives say no evidence backs his story. Batallas was subsequently arraigned Saturday in Manhattan Criminal Court and is currently being held without bail at Rikers Island. His attorney has declined to comment.

A Family's Heartbreak and Unanswered Questions

The couple had reportedly been together for three years and were planning to meet a friend the night of the killing. Loved ones say there were no warning signs — no fights, no tension.

"He was, to us, a brother-in-law well-loved," said Mayker Contreras, Linarez's grieving sibling. "This was an emotional shock. I don't know what to feel."

"My sister was a marvelous person. She loved everybody. She was my little girl," she added in Spanish. "She loved to travel — to the Dominican Republic and wherever she was able to go. Of course, her life was cut short."

Despite Batallas' explanation, the family says his story doesn't add up. "The only question I have for him is, 'What happened?'" asked the victim's sibling. "We'd like to know what happened. We want the truth of what happened. I'll tell you the truth, I don't trust what he says."

According to her LinkedIn profile, Linarez was a "passionate, detail-oriented BSN RN" experienced in acute rehab care and "med‑surg" coverage, describing herself as "ready to thrive and grow in diverse healthcare environments."

Tributes Pour in for a Life Cut Short

In the wake of her shocking death, tributes have flooded social media, mourning the loss of a woman loved deeply by friends and family. One loved one wrote, "See you soon dear friend and sister from always and forever my mommy [sic]."

Another shared, "Thank you for all the time shared. I carry in my heart everything that you've given me. Your memory will live forever." "Thank you for being part of my story and for leaving such a beautiful mark on my life. May you find peace in your eternal rest my baby girl. [...] Rest in peace my love, [sic]" they added.

Linarez's death has left her family and friends reeling, as they now search for answers in the wake of a tragedy that defied the loving image the couple once portrayed.

As the investigation continues, Batallas remains in custody without bail, while loved ones mourn the loss of a woman remembered for her kindness, ambition, and the lasting mark she left on those around her.