A 28-year-old Florida man is facing a first-degree murder charge after investigators say he fatally stabbed his mother at their home in Tamarac and later sent a disturbing photo of her body to relatives in a family group chat.
Manuel Farfan-Cabello is accused of killing his 58-year-old mother, Ylda Cabello-Ynocente. According to investigators, he contacted emergency services Friday evening and reportedly admitted to killing her several hours earlier.
Deputies with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office responded around 7:45 p.m. to a home in the 5300 block of NW 28th Street after receiving a report of a stabbing. When they entered the residence, they found extensive blood in the living room and kitchen. Cabello-Ynocente was found unresponsive and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators later determined that the victim had suffered 30 stab wounds, according to the arrest affidavit. Authorities also said Farfan-Cabello allegedly told them he had thrown the knife into a nearby pond after the attack.
Family Members Received Disturbing Messages
The investigation took a troubling turn when relatives began receiving messages about what had happened. According to the affidavit, a family member in Peru contacted relatives after learning that something terrible had occurred at the woman’s home.
Farfan-Cabello allegedly used his mother’s phone to send a message to the family group chat stating that she was dead. When relatives asked him to provide proof, he reportedly sent them a photograph showing his mother lying on the floor in a pool of blood.
Another message attributed to him included an apology and a claim that God had told him to carry out the act, according to investigators.
During a separate phone conversation with a relative, Farfan-Cabello allegedly said he had killed his mother because he was tired of her bothering him. He also reportedly said he was with God.
Investigators said he later spoke about burning his mother’s body. Relatives encouraged him to contact police instead, according to the arrest affidavit.
Surveillance Video and Other Evidence
Authorities also documented a trail of blood leading from the residence to a neighbor’s porch. Surveillance footage from the neighboring property reportedly showed Farfan-Cabello ringing the doorbell earlier that evening.
He was taken into custody after deputies arrived at the home. The investigation included accounts from relatives, physical evidence collected at the scene and information about the messages sent after the alleged killing.
The case highlights how investigators can piece together a timeline using several forms of evidence, including emergency calls, surveillance footage, witness statements and digital communications. The significance of each piece of evidence will ultimately be considered as the criminal case proceeds.
Family Reportedly Described Years of Mental Health Struggles
Relatives told investigators that Farfan-Cabello had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and other mental health conditions. Family members also described a history of struggles and hallucinations in comments to local television station WTVJ.
Those reports are part of the background surrounding the case, but a diagnosis alone does not establish a person’s mental state at the time of an alleged crime. A court-ordered evaluation may help qualified professionals assess issues relevant to the proceedings.
Farfan-Cabello remains in the Broward County Jail without bond. A judge appointed a public defender and ordered a mental health evaluation.
He has been charged with first-degree murder. The allegations have not been proven in court, and the case will proceed through the criminal justice system as authorities and the defense address the evidence and any relevant legal questions.
