Water Spilling from Upstairs Patio Allegedly Sparked Fatal Stabbing

Albuquerque –

Homicide detectives from the Albuquerque Police Department arrested a man for fatally stabbing his upstairs neighbor over water that was spilling from her patio and into his downstairs patio.

Michael Cain, 39, was charged with an open count of murder and tampering with evidence. He is accused of stabbing his neighbor, 22-year-old Esmeralda Romero, multiple times outside the leasing office at the Albuquerque Encore Apartments, located at 810 Eubank Blvd. NE.

Cain had complained to a leasing office employee that water was spilling from Romero’s patio onto his own. The employee told Cain the issue would be addressed.

After leaving the office, Cain became involved in a verbal altercation with Romero. He then returned to the leasing office and complained a second time about the water leak. The employee again told Cain the issue would be handled. Cain then went outside and waited.

While Cain waited outside, Romero went to the office and complained to the employee about Cain. Romero said water sometimes dripped from her dog’s bowl onto Cain’s patio, but that Cain accused her of intentionally pouring water onto his patio. She also said Cain had gone to her apartment, banged on her door and harassed her about the water.

The employee told investigators she informed Romero that she was trying to resolve the dispute between the neighbors and advised her to call security or 911 if Cain threatened her.

As Romero walked out of the office, the employee said she saw Cain run from the parking lot and attack Romero. She then noticed Cain was holding Romero as he stabbed her multiple times. Romero fell to the ground. 

The employee told investigators that after the stabbing, Cain turned and walked toward her while holding the knife. He then walked past her, fled on foot and dropped a knife with a white hand towel just behind the apartment on the sidewalk.

According to police, Cain then called 911 and said he had stabbed someone. Officers found him in an alley near 10509 San Jacinto Drive NE, where he was taken into custody. Homicide investigators also recovered a knife at that location. Cain had several cuts on one of his hands.

According to Albuquerque Police Department Public Information Officer Gilbert Gallegos, Cain is being treated at a local hospital and will be booked into the Metropolitan Detention Center upon his release.