NEW YORK, NY – An arrest has been made in the death of Pamela Alcantara, a Bronx woman whose body was discovered alongside a highway in Yonkers. Her ex-boyfriend, Junior Perez, has been charged with her murder, providing a semblance of closure for her grieving family, who have endured an unimaginable week of loss and uncertainty.
Just hours before Perez was led out of the 46th precinct in handcuffs, Alcantara’s family gathered outside her Morris Avenue apartment building for a candlelight vigil. The somber event was marked by prayers and the illumination of candles, with loved ones huddled together, surrounded by missing posters bearing her image.
Alcantara, 26, was last seen alive in surveillance footage captured on March 2. The video shows her entering the elevator of the apartment she shared with Perez, shortly after midnight. Her mother recalls their final conversation over FaceTime, which ended when Alcantara stepped inside the elevator. It was the last time her voice was heard.
The search for Alcantara ended tragically when her body was found in the brush beside the Sawmill Parkway. The discovery has left her family grappling with a mix of grief and relief, as they now seek justice for her untimely death.
In the aftermath, Alcantara’s family is urging others in similar situations to seek help and speak out against domestic violence. Her mother shared that Alcantara had endured years of abuse, a painful journey that was finally halted by this tragic incident. The family hopes that their loss will serve as a catalyst for change and awareness.
Perez faces multiple charges, including murder, kidnapping, and manslaughter. Authorities have yet to announce the date he will appear in court, but the charges bring a glimmer of hope for accountability and justice.
As the investigation continues, Alcantara’s story underscores the urgent need for greater support and intervention for those affected by domestic violence. Her family remains steadfast in their commitment to ensuring her legacy serves as a beacon of hope and change for others.