Woman Who Allegedly Killed Wife With Wine Chiller Apprehended

Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus (left) and Rebecca Gavilanez-Alectus

Rebecca Gavilanez-Alectus was found dead in the New Jersey home she shared with her wife.

Neal Broverman

Neal Broverman is the Editorial Director, Print of Pride Media, publishers of The Advocate, Out, Out Traveler, and Plus, spending more than 20 years in journalism. He indulges his interest in transportation and urban planning with regular contributions to Los Angeles magazine, and his work has also appeared in the Los Angeles Times and USA Today. He lives in the City of Angels with his husband, children, and their chiweenie.

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Neal Broverman

May 23 2020 2:44 PM EST

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Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus, a 48-year-old New Jersey woman, was arrested on by federal authorities and Houston police on Wednesday and charged with the murder of her wife.

Rebecca Gavilanez-Alectus, 32, was found dead on May 17 in a bedroom of the Brick, N.J., home she shared with her spouse. A "cylindrical container used for the purpose of chilling wine" was the murder weapon, according to officials quoted by NJ.com.

A warrant was quickly issued for Mayra's arrest and she was caught in Houston; police believe she fled to Texas on a bus. Gavilanez-Alectus is now in Harris County jail and will soon be extradited back to New Jersey.

Rebecca Gavilanez-Alectus was a mother, according to the New York Daily News, citing a Facebook post where the accused killer praised her now-deceased wife for Mother's Day.

"It is extremely satisfying when law enforcement works together and we are able to get a dangerous person like Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus into custody," Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said in a statement. "We will immediately begin extradition proceedings to bring Mayra Gavilanez-Alectus back to Ocean County to answer for these charges. Justice for Rebecca Gavilanez-Alectus weighs heavy on all of our minds."