In Bronx, New York, a horrifying incident shocked the neighborhood as Hanoi Peralta, Jonathan Rivera, and their 5-year-old son, Kayden Rivera, were discovered dead in their apartment building on a Sunday morning. The gruesome triple-homicide was attributed to 19-year-old Jayden Rivera, who confessed to the brutal act, claiming that he suffered from severe mental health issues. The suspect was later admitted to a suburban psychiatric ward.
According to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, the young sitter for Kayden had been experiencing auditory hallucinations even before he arrived to babysit his half-brother. Jayden later admitted to his mother that he believed the victims were going to harm him, and claimed that he had done something wrong.
The bodies of Jonathan Rivera and Hanoi Peralta were found outside the apartment and inside on the bed, respectively, with multiple stab wounds. Their son, Kayden, was discovered inside the apartment with severe stab wounds and disembowelment. Jayden Rivera had told his mother about the voices he was hearing before going to look after the child, alarming her of his mental state.
During the investigation, it was revealed that the killer used a dented pot to attack his victims. This horrific act was discovered after neighbors reported screaming and prayer-like sounds coming from the apartment throughout the night.
The suspect, Jayden Rivera, had no prior arrests and was taken to the psychiatric ward only a few hours before the bodies were found. He had recently dropped out of college and had been working as a doorman. Rivera’s lawyer, Nicholas Ramcharitar, expressed condolences to the family and stated that they were coordinating with Bellevue Hospital for proper mental health care for the suspect.
This shocking and tragic event has left the Bronx community reeling, with authorities working to better understand the circumstances surrounding the triple-homicide. The details of the case serve as a grim reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and support for individuals struggling with severe mental health issues.