A pregnant woman was found dead in a Staten Island park, and police say the man she had recently met at a nearby deli is the one who killed her.
The shocking crime has left the local community heartbroken and disturbed, as more details about the victim and the suspect come to light.
The victim, identified as 30-year-old Jasmin Morales, was six months pregnant at the time of her death. She was found unconscious in the early hours of Saturday morning near the baseball fields inside a park in Staten Island.
Emergency responders were called to the scene, but Jasmin could not be revived. Authorities later confirmed that she had been strangled.
Police say the man accused of killing her is 33-year-old Raul Acosta. According to officials, Jasmin and Acosta had met just a few days earlier at a local deli in the Port Richmond neighborhood. Investigators believe they quickly formed a friendship and that Acosta invited her to meet him in the park the night before the murder.
Security camera footage and cell phone records helped detectives piece together what happened. Sources say the two were seen entering the park late Friday night.
Acosta was reportedly the last person seen with Jasmin before her body was discovered. After reviewing the evidence, police arrested him and charged him with second-degree murder.
According to authorities, Acosta has a criminal history that includes previous arrests for assault and theft. Detectives are now looking into his past to see if he has been involved in any other violent incidents.
So far, no clear motive has been shared publicly by investigators, but police believe the attack may have been personal or emotionally driven.
Jasmin’s family and friends are devastated by the loss. Her relatives say she was excited about her pregnancy and had been looking forward to becoming a mother. She was known as a kind and cheerful person who loved her family deeply.
Many in the neighborhood are mourning her death and calling for justice. Her family is also demanding answers, especially about how someone she had just met could do something so violent.
Residents in the area have expressed shock and concern over safety in the park and the neighborhood. Some people who live nearby say the park is usually quiet, but the recent tragedy has made them more cautious.
Many are urging the city to increase security, especially at night, to prevent such incidents from happening again.
A small memorial of flowers and candles has been placed in the park where Jasmin was found. Community members have been stopping by to pay their respects and leave messages of support for her family.
Police are continuing their investigation. They are asking anyone who may have seen or heard anything that night to come forward and help. Officials also said that additional charges could be filed, depending on the results of the full investigation.
The case has also raised broader concerns about how quickly trust can be built with strangers, especially in casual or public encounters. Experts are reminding people to be cautious when meeting someone new, even in familiar places like a neighborhood deli.
Jasmin Morales’ death has deeply affected the Staten Island community. She was not only a young woman but also a mother-to-be whose life was taken too soon. As her loved ones prepare to say goodbye, they hope that justice will be served and that her memory will be honored.
The suspect, Raul Acosta, is currently being held without bail. His next court appearance is expected later this week. Prosecutors say they will push for the maximum sentence, considering the brutal nature of the crime and the fact that Jasmin was pregnant.
For now, the community continues to grieve, and many are holding onto each other for comfort as they process this tragic and senseless loss.