Man charged with murder in fatal stabbing of former girlfriend on CTA platform, police say

Richard Requena, Chicago Tribune
Updated ·2 min read
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A 26-year-old woman who was fatally stabbed on a CTA platform early morning Saturday in the Loop was able to identify a former boyfriend as her attacker before she died, Chicago police said Monday.

Alejandro Arellano, 31, of the 1600 block of North Spaulding Avenue, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Samantha Maldonado, who was stabbed at the Adams and Wabash “L” station around 1:25 a.m. Saturday, according to police and the Cook County medical examiner’s office.

Maldonado died of “multiple sharp force injuries,” and her death was ruled a homicide, the medical examiner’s office said.

Police said they were able to collaborate with the CTA to use their surveillance system to track down Arellano and took him into custody nearly 15 hours after the attack. Police officials were able to confirm Arellano and the victim had dated.

First Deputy Superintendent of Police Eric Carter said Maldonado was the “key piece of evidence” that led to Arellano being charged.

“We hope knowing the person responsible for her death has been brought to justice brings a small measure of closure and peace for the family,” he added.

Police said security was not at the scene, and that while violent crime on the CTA is up 3%, they called Saturday’s attack an “isolated incident.”

Paulette Lopez, Maldonado’s cousin, set up a GoFundMe to help the family cover the cost of her funeral. Lopez said Maldonado recently arrived from Ecuador, and that she loved to travel.

“She was an amazing individual. She came here with her mom to essentially work and to learn,” Lopez told the Tribune. “She was always driven, ambitious and passionate.”

Lopez said Maldonado came to Chicago to practice her English, travel and build friendships. She said Maldonado had received a business degree from a university in Ecuador and hoped to return someday to open a business with her family and sister.