'Don't ignore the red flags.' Family of fatal Edenwald stabbing victims warn of domestic incidents' consequences

Police say 26-year-old Gabrielle Muniz and her 6-year-old daughter, Rozara Estevez, were found dead just before midnight Saturday.

News 12 Staff

Mar 8, 2022, 12:43 AM

Updated 946 days ago

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The family of the mother and daughter who were fatally stabbed in Edenwald this weekend want their story to remind of the consequences of domestic incidents.
Police say 26-year-old Gabrielle Muniz and her 6-year-old daughter, Rozara Estevez, were found dead just before midnight Saturday. The NYPD went to their Monticello Avenue apartment for a wellness check and found them both stabbed multiple times.
Muniz's mother, Yanik Rocha, spoke with News 12 by phone from Florida. She described her as an amazing daughter, sister, cousin, friend and mother. She said Rozara was the "sweetest little girl anyone could meet" and a "smart, resilient, ray of sunshine that was going to be just like her mom."
Rocha emphasized that this is how she wants their lives remembered - not as another statistic.
"I want Gabrielle's story to teach people that domestic violence is real, and people need to get help," Rocha said.
Rocha's twin sister, Lisa Rivera, said her sister always feared her daughter would end up dead.
"Do not ignore the signs. Don't ignore the red flags. Always look at the entire picture," Lisa Rivera said.
Police confirmed that the double homicide was domestic in nature. The suspect, Caleb Duberry, was believed to be in a relationship with Muniz and was found dead inside his apartment on Sunday with self-inflicted stab wounds.
Muniz's cousin, Elizabeth Rivera, said she always looked up to her and that she will continue to inspire her.
"Live your life up to Gabrielle and Rozara because we see what can happen. Our lives are not promised, tomorrow isn't promised," Elizabeth Rivera said.
Lisa Rivera started a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs. The family wants to bring Gabrielle and Rozara back to Florida where the family lives to be laid to rest.
Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson offered her condolences on the deaths and said in part: "Domestic violence is an epidemic that affects everyone, regardless of age, economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. It is a crime that we must reject, punish and work to eradicate."
Police say no arrests have been made and the investigation is ongoing.