The Westchester County District Attorney’s office has charged a Rye Brook man with murder and manslaughter over the killing of 37-year-old Samantha Maldacker by apparent strangulation.
Hugo Soto-Diaz, 30, was arraigned Wednesday and pleaded not guilty to both his second-degree murder charge and his first-degree manslaughter charge. He was remanded to Westchester County Jail pending further proceedings, and is due back in court on June 3.
The relationship between Soto-Diaz and Maldacker is unclear.
On March 30, Rye Brook Police officers found Maldacker unconscious with signs of strangulation in Soto-Diaz’s home at 14 1/2 Westview Ave. in Rye Brook, according to the investigation. The suspect’s teen siblings allegedly witnessed the crime, News 12 reported, however they were granted protection orders effective until next April.
Maldacker died from her injuries at an area hospital a few days after the incident.
District Attorney Susan Cacace called the killing a “senseless and tragic act of violence,” while thanking the Rye Brook Police Department for investigating the crime.
“Our office will honor the memory of Samantha Maldacker by holding Hugo Soto-Diaz fully accountable for his heinous actions,” she said.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
