JERSEY CITY, NJ — A shocking act of domestic violence resulted in the stabbing deaths of Luisa Urbano, 31, and her two children, Juan Martin Urbano, 9, and Diana Ramirez, 5, early on January 30, 2025, inside their Jersey City apartment. The suspected perpetrator, Napoleon Romero-Anduray, 31, has been charged with triple murder, according to officials from the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office.
The somber incident unfolded shortly before 12:30 AM at 272 Hutton Avenue. Reports indicate Urbano had recently ended her relationship with Romero-Anduray, who is reportedly the father of neither child. Witnesses describe the scene as chaotic, with crime scene tape surrounding the building and police in attendance shortly after the fatal attack.
Mayor Steve Fulop addressed the community on social media, stating, “This was a terrible triple homicide related to domestic violence. Woman and two children aged 5 and 9 deceased and then the male actor tried to stab himself.” It was noted Romero-Anduray suffered self-inflicted wounds and was hospitalized for treatment.
Eyewitness Jay Perine, who lives nearby, recounted the moments leading to the arrest. “He was just out of it. You could tell he just didn't, he was just out of it. He wanted to hurt himself. It's terrible whenever there's kids involved. That's rule number one right? Don't touch the babies,” he shared with CBS News New York.
The tragedy has sent ripples through the local community, prompting relatives of the Urbano family to turn to crowdfunding to cover funeral expenses and return their bodies to Colombia for burial. Alejandra, the deceased's aunt, set up the fundraiser titled, “Help Us with the Funeral and Repatriation of My Niece and Her Children,” which had surpassed $21,000 by Friday afternoon.
“Hello, my name is Alejandra, and I am raising funds to cover the funeral expenses and the repatriation of my niece and her two children. This unimaginable tragedy has left our family devastated. We are from Colombia, and we need to bring them back home so their loved ones can say their final goodbyes,” she wrote.
The grim reality of domestic violence continues to plague New Jersey, with 17 women and five children reported killed due to domestic violence incidents just within the first ten months of 2023. This case marks one of the most tragic, illustrating the often-overlooked dangers women face when attempting to leave abusive relationships. Experts assert the period during which victims try to separate from their abusers can be the most hazardous.
Local authorities have urged community members to seek help and support. Resources are available nonjudgmentally at various domestic violence agencies across counties. Advocates highlight the importance of contacting someone who can guide them through support avenues, even if the individual is not ready to leave their situation. The national domestic violence hotline can be reached at 800-799-SAFE (7233), providing assistance through call, text, or chat.
Mayor Fulop expressed commitments from the city to aid the victims' family and significantly noted, “We have chaplains and social workers in the neighborhood to work with family and neighbors.” This tragedy has sparked conversations about the enduring issues of domestic violence and the urgent need for greater awareness and resources.
Volunteers and concerned citizens are now focused on helping the community heal from this tragedy. Fulop emphasized the importance of coming together as neighbors during these dark times, underscoring the nation’s broader struggles with domestic violence.
The story serves as a tragic reminder of domestic violence's deadly potential, affecting countless lives. It highlights the need for vigilant community support systems and ensures access to high-quality resources for those seeking help.
Jersey City stands united, hoping to stand against the enigmatic grip of domestic violence, aiming for solutions to these heart-wrenching events.