BAY RIDGE — Police released surveillance images of a suspect in the murder of Maria Santos Flores, 36, last month.
Maria Santos Flores. Photo: GoFundMe
According to the NYPD, the 68th Precinct Detective Squad seeks to identify and apprehend a man named Misael Cruz for the June 20 homicide.
Police describe Cruz, 43, as a white Hispanic, five feet and eight inches tall, and 180 pounds. The flyer from the NYPD states his last known address was 7603 Fifth Ave.
Flores was found inside the home at Fourth Avenue and 85th Street at 9:20 a.m. with a slashed throat, cops said. EMS pronounced her dead at the scene.
Police said one of her two children found her. According to the New York Post, Flores was a bartender at Huatulco Sports Bar, 369 36th St. Her husband Antonio Hernandez told the outlet, “We are waiting. We don’t know anything. There is a suspicion that someone followed her home from work.”
Councilmember Kayla Santosuosso wrote on Facebook, “I am told the NYPD believes that the victim and perpetrator knew each other but that motive remains unclear at this time.”
Police released images of the suspect wanted in connection to the murder of Maria Santos Flores. Photo: NYPD
A GoFundMe was set up for her family following her death, and $12,670 had been raised as of July 27.
Police said anyone with information regarding Cruz or the crime should notify Detective Alexander Caruso at 718-439-4236 or Detective Borough Brooklyn South at 718-287-3239.