A Miami man accused of killing his estranged wife and setting her home on fire said he became upset after she left him for another man then "disrespectfully" texted him that she had also cheated on him when they lived in Cuba, an arrest report says.
Yulexis Rodriguez, 40, was arrested Saturday on multiple charges including first-degree murder, aggravated battery, arson, burglary and kidnapping in the killing of 22-year-old Lianet Ruiz Denis, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office report.
According to the report, Rodriguez traveled from Miami to Palm Beach County with gardening tools and a gas can in the back of his truck, then set a mobile home where Denis was staying on fire before setting multiple vehicles on fire.
Rodriguez said he was "extremely upset" after Denis left him for another man and became even more upset after she "disrespectfully" told him via text message "Are you dumb or something I cheated on you when we lived in Cuba also," the report said.
After setting the fires, Rodriguez went into the home and found Denis and started choking her and hit her with an unknown object, the report said. One witness said they saw Denis try to leave the home but saw Rodriguez grab her by the neck and force her back inside, the report said.
The witness heard Denis say "Please let me go and don't hurt me" and heard Rodriguez reply "I am going to kill you," the report said.
Another witness said he heard a loud explosion and saw Rodriguez outside holding the gas can and dousing gasoline on the home and cars, the report said.
Denis' current boyfriend said he was sleeping inside the home when he was attacked by Rodriguez, who was armed with a garden hoe, the report said. The boyfriend suffered multiple bruises, possible broken ribs, lacerations, stab wounds, fractures and contusions before another person was able to get Rodriguez off him, the report said.
When deputies arrived they found the home and three vehicles on fire. Fire rescue workers pulled Denis from the home and she was pronounced dead at the scene. The report said she suffered extensive head and facial trauma.
Local
Rodriguez was taken into custody after he was spotted exiting the home through a broken window, the report said.
When deputies entered the home, they found a room covered in blood, a bloody handprint on a wall and a gardening hoe under the bed, the report said.
Rodriguez was booked into jail where he remained without bond Tuesday, records showed. Attorney information wasn't available.
