Main suspect surrenders in murder of Dominican teen Lissett Almonte

The main suspect in the murder of 17-year-old Lissett Noemí Almonte Peña surrendered to Dominican authorities on the evening of July 13, 2026, hours after her body was found strangled near the Circunvalación Norte highway in Santiago de los Caballeros. The case has drawn widespread attention as a suspected feminicide.

What happened

Lissett Almonte was last seen on the afternoon of Sunday, July 12, leaving work and getting into a vehicle with her ex-partner Source: infobae, listindiario. Her body was discovered the next morning on the side of the Circunvalación Norte, showing signs of violence. A preliminary autopsy indicated death by asphyxiation due to strangulation; a final report from the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) is pending Source: eldiado, hoydo.

The suspect

• Jansel Manuel Cabrera Martínez (also spelled Hansel Emmanuel Cabrera Martínez in some reports) turned himself in with his lawyer before General Jesús Rafael Tejada Tejada Source: infobae.
• Sources disagree on his age: some say 29 Source: infobae, hoydo, others 32 Source: diariolibree.
• According to authorities, the victim and suspect had a three-year relationship that ended recently, allegedly due to abuse Source: elcaribedr, listindiario. Some reports indicate Cabrera attempted suicide before surrendering Source: elcaribedr, listindiario.

Ongoing investigation

The suspect remains in custody as the Public Ministry prepares to request a coercive measure. The case is being investigated as a feminicide, with potential aggravating factors such as the victim's age and prior relationship Source: infobae.