Rodrigo Bravo, a 31-year-old man from California, will be sentenced to 16 years to life in prison after he admitted to stabbing his girlfriend in front of their two young children. Bravo had a restraining order against him at the time of the attack.
Bravo pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for killing Eleni Tavua, 30, who was the mother of his children. He also confessed to using a knife during the murder, according to the Monterey County District Attorney, Jeannine M. Pacioni... Continue reading here ▶
The incident occurred on June 23, 2023, in their apartment in Salinas, California. Tavua and their children, aged 1 and 2, were at home when Bravo, who wasn’t supposed to be near her because of the restraining order, showed up.
During a fight, Bravo stabbed Tavua at least five times, leading to fatal injuries. He then left the scene, leaving their children with her as she died.
Hours later, Bravo surrendered to the police. The attack happened near their children.
Tavua had a restraining order against Bravo since November 2021 after he was previously found guilty of hurting her and breaking court orders.
Before she was killed, Tavua told her brother, Alex Carr, that Bravo had been abusing her and she planned to move to Reno, Nevada, with her children to get away from him.
Her uncle, Tavua Junior Misikau, said the family is devastated. He mentioned that she was loved by many and did not deserve to die like this. He added, “She loved her kids deeply. I’m sure she fought to stay alive for them but couldn’t survive.”
Bravo’s sentencing is scheduled for March 5.
