In a tragic incident that unfolded in Salinas, California, a man allegedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death in front of their two young children. The victim, Eleni Tavau, 30, had a restraining order against the suspect and was preparing to escape their abusive relationship by moving to Nevada. The horrifying incident took place on Sunday afternoon, prompting a swift response from the police.
Upon receiving a report of a stabbing, law enforcement officers arrived at Tavau’s residence on Natividad Road. They found her with multiple stab wounds and unresponsive. Despite their efforts to provide medical aid, Tavau eventually succumbed to her injuries.
Shockingly, the suspect, Rodrigo Bravo, 32, walked into the police station at 5:30 p.m., confessed to the killing. He now faces charges of murder, felony child endangerment, violation of probation, and violation of a domestic violence restraining order.
Tavau’s younger brother, Alex Carr, revealed that she had expressed her desire to leave the area just hours before her tragic death. She had planned to relocate to Reno, Nevada, to be closer to her brother and provide a safer environment for her children. Carr recounted how Tavau had described the escalating abuse she endured, both verbally and physically, at the hands of Bravo.
The family has created a GoFundMe page to raise funds for Tavau’s burial in her homeland of Samoa.
According to police spokesman Brian Johnson, the restraining order Tavau had obtained was specifically for domestic violence. While restraining orders can be effective in many cases, Johnson acknowledged that they are not foolproof. Tragically, this senseless murder occurred despite the protective measure. The authorities are now left grappling with the motive behind Bravo’s actions.
Rodrigo Bravo is currently in police custody, with bail set at $1 million. The police are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward and provide information to assist with the investigation.