A romantic glass of wine together in the evening can bond a couple together, especially as they navigate these turbulent times.
On the other hand, alcohol can also be a flash point for some domestic partners and unleash pent up resentment and rage.
Tragically, for one married couple from South New Jersey, it appears that settling down to their post-work libation set off a tragic confrontation that allegedly ended in a woman bludgeoning her considerably younger wife to death with a wine chiller.
Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus of Brick, New Jersey, was this week returned to her home-town after last month fleeing to Texas.
Gavilanez-Alectus will now face murder charges in Brick. On Tuesday she was processed by the Brick Township police department and is being held in the county jail.
The suspect, 48, who was captured last month in Houston, is also being charged with two weapons offenses in the killing last month of her wife, Rebecca Gavilanez-Alectus, 32.
An autopsy concluded that Rebecca Gavilanez-Alectus was killed with a “cylindrical container used for the purpose of chilling wine,” and her death was ruled a homicide.
Authorities have not yet commented publicly on what the motive for the attack inside the couple’s apartment may have been.
However, some friends of the dead woman have speculated that Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus may have freaked out after her wife tried to end the relationship.
Rebecca Gavilanez-Alectus had reportedly been talking with a friend about divorcing her wife and had removed her wedding ring the night before she was killed, nj.com reported.
Officials believe Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus traveled to Houston from New York City by bus immediately following the murder. She was arrested there last month by members of the FBI, the United States Marshals Service, and the Houston Police Department.
A warrant for Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus’ arrest was issued on May 18, after the county prosecutor’s office and Brick Township police determined she was responsible for the May 17 death of her wife.