A 26-year-old woman from the Bronx was discovered deceased inside a suitcase near the Saw Mill River Parkway in Yonkers, New York, on Thursday morning, March 6, 2025. The woman, identified as Pamela Alcantara, had been planning to move out of the apartment she shared with her ex-boyfriend.
Alcantara was last seen at her Fordham Heights apartment building early on Sunday, March 2. Her family reported her missing after she did not attend a church service that day, which was unusual given her active involvement in her church community.
“She was only 26 years old and had her whole life ahead of her,” a relative told News12.
Authorities found Alcantara’s body in a red suitcase near Yonkers Avenue and Palmer Road around 9:50 a.m. on Thursday. The New York City medical examiner has classified her death as a homicide.
Junior Perez Diaz, 46, Alcantara’s ex-boyfriend, has been apprehended and charged with second-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter, and two counts of first-degree kidnapping in relation to her death.
Officials tracked Diaz’s vehicle to the site where Alcantara’s body was located using a license plate reader.
Surveillance footage from the apartment complex shows Alcantara entering an elevator early Sunday morning, but there is no evidence of her exiting the building. Investigators later found a video allegedly depicting Diaz transporting the suitcase containing Alcantara’s body on a dolly out of the building and into his car.
“We are all devastated because this should have never happened,” another family member expressed to news outlets.
Family members indicated that Alcantara had recently ended her three-year relationship with Diaz and was in the process of moving out. Upon entering the apartment on Monday, they noticed signs of a struggle, prompting suspicion about Diaz’s role in her disappearance.
Relatives reported that Diaz exhibited controlling behavior during their relationship, allegedly using recording devices to monitor Alcantara’s activities.
Alcantara’s mother revealed that her daughter had confided in her about Diaz’s threat to harm himself if she ended their relationship.
A cousin shared that Alcantara had asked her mother to pray for her just days before she went missing. Her absence at church on Sunday raised concern among her friends, as she was known for her dedication to her faith.
According to CBS News, Alcantara’s mother believed her daughter did not fully disclose the extent of the situation due to ongoing grief over the loss of another daughter. Alcantara apparently chose not to worry her mother, who was still mourning.
Diaz initially informed detectives that Alcantara had left the apartment quickly, clad in pajamas and carrying a red suitcase. However, evidence later contradicted this statement.
On Friday evening, a candlelight vigil was held outside Alcantara’s Bronx home, attended by community members and faith leaders. The gathering aimed to honor her life and commemorate her community service efforts, including helping the homeless.
The vigil also highlighted the importance of recognizing domestic violence warning signs, stressing that even a single threat should be taken seriously.
Alcantara’s family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist in transporting her body to the Dominican Republic for burial.
The NYPD continues its investigation into the circumstances of Alcantara’s death.