NEW YORK CITY (LOOTPRESS) – A 23-year-old man has been charged with murder after allegedly stabbing, dismembering, and disposing of his roommate’s body in a suitcase following a dispute over food, authorities said.
Grisly Discovery in the East River
The dismembered remains of 65-year-old Edwin Echevarria were discovered in a suitcase floating in the East River on Feb. 5. The disturbing find led investigators to question Christian Millet, who allegedly confessed to the crime, according to police.
A Fatal Dispute
During an interview with the New York Police Department, Millet reportedly admitted to stabbing Echevarria 12 to 13 times with an ice pick after an argument over food escalated into violence. He also allegedly stomped on Echevarria’s head before cutting his body into pieces.
Police later executed a search warrant at the Baruch Houses, a New York City Housing Authority complex where the two lived. Authorities said Millet stuffed some of Echevarria’s remains into a suitcase and dumped it in the river while investigators continued searching for the rest of his body.
A Troubled Living Arrangement
Echevarria’s daughter, Jennifer Matthews, told Gothamist that Millet was the grandson of her father’s ex-girlfriend and had been living with him. She described their relationship as abusive, claiming that family members had reported that Millet was physically assaulting Echevarria.
“Last time when [Millet] left, I told my dad not to let him back in,” Matthews said. “I didn’t find out until my dad was missing that he had moved back in with my father.”
Echevarria was last seen alive on Feb. 2, and his disappearance prompted missing person posters before police made their grim discovery.
Arrest and Charges
Millet was arrested on Feb. 12 and has been charged with second-degree murder. The case remains under investigation as authorities continue searching for additional remains.
