Perth Amboy Man Charged with Murder.

On September 21, 2024, at approximately 2:57 AM., authorities received a 911 call to Bertrand Avenue, reporting a stabbing. Upon their arrival, officers located a male and a female lying on the kitchen floor. The victim, Rosana Rodriguez, 40, of Perth Amboy, had appeared to have been stabbed.

Officers rendered aid, and Rodriguez was transported to Hackensack Meridian Hospital Raritan Bay Medical Center, where she was later pronounced deceased.

The male, Wellinton Leonardo, was brought to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for further treatment.

An initial investigation led by Detective Danny Hernandez of the Perth Amboy Police Department and Detective Michelle Coppola of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that this was not a random act of violence.

The victim and Wellinton Leonardo were married. Leonardo was charged with one count of degree Murder, one count of second-degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon, one count of second-degree Possession of a Weapon forpose, and one count of second-degree Endangering the Welfare of a Child an Unlawful Pur as the offense took place in the presence of children.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. Anyone with information or surveillance footage of the area is asked to call Detective Hernandez of the Perth Amboy Police Department at 732-324-3805 or Detective Coppola of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3477.

As with all criminal defendants, the charges against Leonardo are merely accusations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.