A Bronx man has been charged with the murder of his girlfriend after his initial claims of a bizarre moped attack proved to be a fabrication. Franklin Batalis, 44, arrived at Montapor Hospital in New Rochelle on September 17 with a stab wound to his arm, claiming that he and his girlfriend, 30-year-old Anonella Contrarus Lonares, were assaulted by two men on a moped while on their way to dinner.
Batalis recounted a harrowing tale in which he alleged that after stopping the car near Palm Bay Park, two men approached and attempted to rob Anonella. He claimed that when she resisted, they violently stabbed her multiple times. According to him, he intervened and sustained a slash to his arm during the confrontation. Tragically, Anonella was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
However, authorities quickly grew suspicious of Batalis’s account. Detectives from the NYPD began to unravel his story, questioning him multiple times to build a timeline of events. As they delved deeper into the investigation, they discovered that Anonella and Batalis were in the midst of a breakup, raising questions about the nature of their relationship and whether there was any underlying motive for violence.
Batalis was subsequently arrested and arraigned on charges including first-degree murder, first-degree manslaughter with intent to cause serious physical injury, and criminal possession of a weapon. He pleaded not guilty to all charges and is being held without bail.
Retired NYPD detective Dave Sarnney, who discussed the case on the podcast “Sidebar,” noted the inconsistencies in Batalis’s story. He highlighted that the nature of the stabbing—multiple wounds—suggested an intimate relationship between the attacker and the victim, which contradicted Batalis’s claim of a random robbery. Additionally, Sarnney pointed out that the forensic evidence, including a long strand of Anonella’s hair found in Batalis’s hand, indicated a struggle, further undermining his narrative.
Surveillance footage from the area, which did not show any moped following Batalis and Anonella, further contradicted his claims. Investigators also considered the implications of Batalis’s arm injury, examining whether it was a defensive wound or potentially self-inflicted during the alleged attack.
Family members of Anonella expressed their disbelief over Batalis’s version of events. Her brother, Maker Contrarus, questioned how Batalis could have let such an attack happen if he was truly there to protect her. Anonella, who emigrated from the Dominican Republic 11 years ago, was a dedicated nurse with dreams of becoming an anesthesiologist. Her family described her as the “glue” that held them together, and her loss has left a profound void.
As the investigation continues, the case has drawn attention not only for the tragic circumstances but also for the dynamics of domestic violence. Sarnney emphasized that such violent incidents often stem from escalating tensions within relationships, and it remains to be seen whether Batalis’s actions were premeditated or a result of a sudden outburst.
The incident serves as a somber reminder of the complexities surrounding domestic relationships and the potential for violence, even in seemingly stable partnerships. Batalis is expected to appear in court later this week as the legal process unfolds.