A man from California, who has a history of domestic violence, will be sentenced to 16 years to life in prison after admitting to stabbing his girlfriend in front of their two young children while having a restraining order against him.
Rodrigo Bravo, 31, pleaded no contest to second-degree murder for killing his girlfriend, Eleni Tavua, 30, the mother of his children. He also admitted to using a knife in the killing, according to Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni... Continue reading here ▶
The stabbing took place on June 23, 2023, at their apartment in Salinas, California. Tavua and their two children, aged 1 and 2, were at home when Bravo showed up, even though he had an active restraining order against him, which prohibited him from contacting Tavua.
During an argument, Bravo pulled out a knife and stabbed Tavua at least five times, causing fatal injuries. He then fled the scene, leaving their children with Tavua as she bled to death.
Several hours later, Bravo turned himself in to the police. According to authorities, the attack occurred near the children.
Tavua had an active restraining order against Bravo, which was issued in November 2021, after he had previously been convicted of injuring her and violating court orders.
Tavua’s brother, Alex Carr, shared that he had just spoken with her before the killing. She had confided in him that Bravo had been abusing her, both mentally and physically, and that she was planning to move to Reno, Nevada, with her children to escape him.
Her uncle, Tavua Junior Misikau, expressed the family’s heartbreak, saying she was loved by many and that no one deserves to die the way she did. He added, “She loved her kids with all her heart. I’m sure she fought to stay alive for them but could not hold on.”
Bravo is set to be sentenced on March 5.
