Police in New Jersey have charged a man with murder in connection with the stabbing death of his wife, who was allegedly discovered dying next to him in their kitchen over the weekend.
Rosana Rodriguez, 40, was discovered in her Perth Amboy, New Jersey, home by cops responding to a stabbing incident in the early hours of Saturday, September 21, according to a statement released later that day. (Her family’s fundraiser and obituary, as well as news outlets My Central Jersey and the Daily Voice, all spell the victim’s first name “Rosanna”).
Perth Amboy police also discovered her husband, Wellington Leonardo, lying on the kitchen floor next to her and took him to the hospital for treatment, according to the statement. Police did not provide details regarding any injuries he may have sustained that required treatment.
Rodriguez was pronounced deceased after being transported to a local hospital. According to Perth Amboy police, Leonardo has been charged with first-degree murder, among other crimes.
Rodriguez was a mother of four young daughters, the youngest of whom is 11 months old, according to a GoFundMe page set up to help with her burial arrangements and children’s care. The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office tells PEOPLE that two of the couple’s children, ages 11 and 13, were present throughout the event.
“She was a compassionate and caring soul who touched the lives of everyone around her,” according to Rodriguez’s fundraising page.
According to her obituary, the Dominican Republic native worked as an apartment inspector in Perth Amboy, where she had moved several years before.
Perth Amboy Mayor Helmin J. Caba said in a statement that it was a “heartbreaking” period for the town, which has been profoundly affected by Rodriguez’s death.
“[Our] thoughts are with her family and loved ones,” Caba wrote in the statement. “As a city, we will continue to support them in any way we can.”
Leonardo has been charged with one count of first-degree murder, several weapons counts, and second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, according to Perth Amboy police. (The statement claims that the couple’s children were present at the time of the stabbing.)
Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office informs PEOPLE As of the time of reporting this story, Leonardo was still in the hospital being treated for his injuries.
It was not immediately obvious whether he had hired an attorney to speak on his behalf.