Authorities arrested 22-year-old Rony Yahir Alvarenga Rivera and charged him with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder after two women were found fatally stabbed in Nassau County hours apart. The first victim was discovered near a Wendy’s in North Long Beach around 12:30 a.m.; the second was found inside a Valley Stream home shortly after 3 a.m. Investigators say the suspect knew both victims and have described "anger" as a possible motive. Police and county officials continue to investigate, and questions about the suspect's immigration status have been raised but not publicly confirmed by law enforcement.
Migrant Charged in Fatal Stabbings of Two Women Hours Apart in Nassau County; Officials Raise Immigration Concerns
Officers conducting a welfare check at a residence on West Mineola Avenue in Valley Stream discovered a second victim.(Fox News)
A 22-year-old man, identified by authorities as Rony Yahir Alvarenga Rivera, has been arrested and charged in connection with the fatal stabbings of two women in Nassau County, New York. Police say Rivera faces one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder after the victims were found at separate locations hours apart early Friday morning.
Timeline of events
According to police, the first victim — a 42-year-old woman — was discovered at about 12:30 a.m. Friday outside the Wendy’s on Austin Boulevard in North Long Beach. Responding officers, who had been called about a person with a knife, found the woman suffering multiple stab wounds; she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say the suspect worked with one of the victims at a Wendy's for around one year.
While investigators were handling the Long Beach scene, officers were alerted to a man seeking help at a property on Atlantic Avenue in Lynbrook. When officers arrived, the man allegedly told them he had killed someone, which prompted homicide detectives to become involved.
During the ensuing investigation, officers conducting a welfare check at a residence on Mineola Avenue in Valley Stream discovered a second victim, a 32-year-old woman, dead inside. Police said both victims suffered multiple stab wounds to the neck and torso. Authorities believe the Valley Stream killing occurred shortly after 3 a.m., following the earlier attack in Long Beach.
Nassau Detective Lt. George D’Arienzo speaks alongside law enforcement officers at a press conference on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
Victim information and suspect relationship
Investigators say the suspect knew both women: the older victim reportedly worked with him at the Wendy’s, while the younger woman lived in the same house where residents shared common areas but had separate bedrooms. Officials have not released the victims’ names publicly as they continue notifying family members; they noted the 42-year-old woman had two young children.
Charges, motive and ongoing probe
Rivera was taken into custody after approaching officers and saying he had killed someone earlier that night. Nassau County detectives have cited "anger" as a possible motive, according to a police lieutenant. Police have not publicly confirmed the suspect’s immigration status, and the investigation remains active.
Officials' response
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said the suspect entered the United States as an unaccompanied minor and was later allowed to remain, arguing the case highlights shortcomings in federal immigration policy. Police have not independently confirmed or released details about the suspect’s immigration record.
The Nassau County Police Department continues to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to contact local authorities.
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