Lancaster County man allegedly stabbed girlfriend to death over short haircut

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — Court documents are revealing more about an investigation into a stabbing that killed a woman in Lancaster County Sunday.

Benjamin Garcia Gual, 49, of Lancaster has been charged with homicide, attempted homicide, and multiple counts of aggravated assault and recklessly endangering a person following the stabbing.

On Sunday around 1:40 p.m., East Hempfield police arrived at a home in the 2900 block of Dell Lane to find Carmen Martinez-Silva suffering from multiple stab wounds, according to an affidavit.

EMS officials attempted to saveMartinez-Silva, but she was pronounced dead around 4 p.m.

Another victim was also found suffering from multiple stab wounds, one of which was at the base of his skull,according to documents.

READ MORE |Lancaster County coroner identifies woman killed in stabbing

Garcia Gual was reportedly found by police sitting inside a Toyota Corolla. They ordered him to leave the car and found a silver kitchen knife on the passenger seat with brownish red staining,according to documents.

Police spoke with the daughter of Carmen, who stated her mother had stayed the night at her house because she was "scared" of Garcia Gual, who was reportedly her boyfriend.

Carmen told her daughter that Garcia Gual was upset because she cut her hair and that he was going to stab her over her haircut, according to documents.

Around 8:20 a.m., Carmen reportedly left her daughter's house and went to her brother's home on Dell Lane.

A witness allegedly told police that Carmen had asked them to tell Garcia Gual their relationship was over.

But when the witness went to go talk to Garcia Gual, he was not home, so the witness went back to the 2900 block of Dell Lane to inform Carmen.

While the witness was there, Garcia Gual reportedly came to the house looking for Carmen,according to documents.

The witness answered the door and lied to protect Carmen, telling Garcia Gual that she was not inside the trailer, even though she was.

READ MORE |Stabbing leaves 1 dead, 2 injured including suspect; Lancaster County police investigate

Garcia Gual left but returned minutes later when another man, the homeowner, answered the door. Police say that's when Garcia Gual started stabbing the homeowner.

A witness said Carmen tried to pull Garcia Gual away from the man, which is when Garcia Gual began stabbing Carmen in a backward motion, according to court documents.

The witness then reportedly told police that Garcia Gual swung the knife, trying to stab them as well, but missed.

Another man involved in the altercation allegedly told police he was instructed to "grab a gun" after arriving at the home. Police say the witness said he tried to help the victims, but Garcia Gual swung the knife at his face, missing.

Both Garcia Gual and the homeowner were taken to a hospital to be treated for their injuries. Both are expected to survive,according to documents.

Garcia Gual has been denied bail and is being held at the Lancaster County Prison. He was scheduled to be arraigned on Nov. 5.