Bronx man charged with murder in City Island stabbing after initial moped-attack claim

A 44-year-old Bronx man was arrested and charged with murder in the stabbing death of his girlfriend, 30-year-old Anthonella Contreras Linarez, on City Island late Wednesday, police said. Franklin Batallas was arrested Friday at 1 p.m. and charged with murder, two counts of assault and criminal possession of a weapon in connection with the slaying near Rodman’s Neck.

Batallas initially told investigators that two men on a moped pulled up while he was urinating on the side of the road, tried to rob Linarez, and stabbed her when she resisted; he said he rushed back to the car and was slashed as he tried to intervene. Investigators were not able to publicly corroborate that account.

Linarez, a registered nurse, was stabbed multiple times inside her car and transported to Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital, where she died. Batallas, who had a stab wound to his right forearm, was treated at the same hospital in stable condition before police linked him to the crime.

Linarez had worked as a registered nurse at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital. Mount Sinai Health System said the community is mourning the loss of one of its own and extended condolences to family, friends and colleagues. Police did not disclose a motive and investigators have not released further details about the investigation.

Marcos Contreras, Linarez’s father, told The Post he was devastated and cautious, saying police are still investigating and that there is always doubt about what happened. “There is always doubt,” he said, adding that he would wait for the police inquiry before drawing conclusions.

The case unfolds as authorities seek to understand the circumstances surrounding the crime on City Island, an area that has drawn attention in recent months for localized incidents but has not been shown to be linked to broader crime trends. The investigation remains ongoing as detectives review evidence and forensic findings.