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Updated: August 12, 2009, 3:17 pm	Share    Print    Email

David Soto, 41, of East Hampton, was arraigned on Saturday, Aug. 1, on charges of murder in the second degree for allegedly stabbing his wife. Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Police

East Hampton - A woman was reportedly murdered Thursday night, July 30 in her home in the Oak View Mobile Home Park. Blanca Soto, 29, was allegedly stabbed to death by her estranged husband David Soto, 41, who lived in a nearby trailer in the same park.

According to Detective Lieutenant Jack Fitzpatrick of the Suffolk County Homicide Department, David Soto entered the home around 10:20 p.m. on Thursday and immediately began arguing with his wife. There had been a number of reports of domestic incidents previously and an order of protection against Mr. Soto had been in place, though it expired the day before and was not renewed at Mrs. Soto's request. At some point during the altercation, David Soto allegedly stabbed his wife (at this time police have declined to go into detail on the incident) before one of their two sons called the police.

Soto fled the scene before police arrived, however East Hampton Town and Village Police located him nearby, sitting in his truck with a "self-inflicted slash wound to the neck," according to Fitzpatrick. It is unclear why Soto had taken the knife to himself, though early indications appear to point toward attempted suicide.

Blanca Soto was transported to Southampton Hospital where she soon succumbed to her wounds.

The two young boys, nine and 11 years old, have been placed with relatives for the time being. David Soto will be arraigned at East Hampton Town Justice Court on Saturday, Aug. 1 on charges of murder in the second degree.

The Retreat, a local organization dedicated to supporting abused or battered women, will be holding a candlelight vigil and community forum in memory of Mrs. Soto at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5 at the First Presbyterian Church of Amagansett on the corner of Meeting House Lane and Main Street.

"The tragic death of Ms. Soto is a wake-up call for our community that domestic violence continues to be happening all around us," wrote the Retreat's Executive Director Jeffrey Friedman in a press release scheduling the memorial, "It is happening to our friends, family and our neighbors, even though we might not be aware of it because it is not talked about, seen or heard. It is our communities hidden epidemic."

Along with the vigil and a moment of silence for the deceased, the Retreat will be holding a forum to provide the community with information about domestic violence and how such atrocities can be prevented in the future.

Police received a 9-1-1 call from the Soto's 11-year-old son on Thursday evening stating that his father had stabbed his mother. David Soto will be arraigned in East Hampton on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Google Earth.