Story by Ethan
On October 29th, 2025, the arrest of Franklin Batallas, age 44, was announced by Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark. Franklin Batallas was charged with second-degree Murder, first-degree Manslaughter, and fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon. The arrest and charges against Franklin Batallas were a result of an investigation handled by NYPD Detectives Sean Liscoe and Paula Aguero of the 45th Precinct, Patrick Flatley of the Bronx Homicide Squad, Police Officers Joseph Barone and Alex Llaurado of the NYPD Harbor Unit, Scuba Team, and the New Rochelle Police Department.
According to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, at approximately 7:20 p.m. on September 17th, 2025, Franklin Batallas was picking up his girlfriend, 30-year-old Anthonella Contreras, from a Manhattan hospital where she’s employed as a nurse. Allegedly after picking up Anthonella Contreras, Franklin Batallas drove to Pelham Bay Park before then striking her several times on her face and neck with an unknown sharp object. Afterwards Franklin Batallas drove to the City Island Bridge, then traveled to Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital. Franklin Batallas was treated for a cut before being released, however Anthonella Contreras was pronounced dead on arrival.
Following Anthonella Contreras’ death an investigation was launched, and when initially questioning Franklin Batallas he claimed that they pulled over on Rodmen’s Neck near the City Island Road traffic circle when they were robbed at knifepoint by a group of individuals on mopeds. However, surveillance footage from the City Island Road area showed that there were no individuals on mopeds on or near the premise where the alleged robbery occurred. Detectives reviewed the video footage and located where Franklin Batallas’ car was stopped on Rodmen’s Neck. When investigating the spot where the car was pulled over, blood stains were uncovered as well as a bracelet belonging to Anthonella Contreras being found in the water below.
The Bronx District Attorney’s Office stated that the charges against Franklin Batallas are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
