Eduardo Vega, 58, of Islip Terrace, has pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree for fatally stabbing his son-in-law, Roshane McLaren, 34. The incident occurred in the driveway of their home. Vega's wife and co-defendant, Tanya Denis, 48, also from Islip Terrace, pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the Third Degree for her involvement.
“This defendant killed Roshane McLaren, his own son-in-law, leaving his infant grandchild without a father,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney. “I thank the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad for their thorough investigation which led to this plea. Notwithstanding this result, our thoughts and prayers remain with the family and friends of Roshane McLaren.”
Court documents reveal that on September 27, 2022, Vega engaged in a verbal altercation with one of Denis' daughters' husbands in their backyard. The situation escalated when Vega threw a lawn chair at him and threatened him with a baseball bat. When Denis' daughters tried to intervene, Vega punched one of them.
The victim deescalated the situation temporarily before learning that Vega had struck his wife during the altercation. Later that day, upon returning home with Denis, Vega was confronted by McLaren in the driveway regarding the earlier incident. During this confrontation, Vega stabbed McLaren twice in the chest causing fatal injuries.
Vega fled but was later found by Denis who provided him money and drove him to Brentwood train station from where he fled to Brooklyn. He turned himself into authorities on October 2, 2022.
McLaren was transported to South Shore University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
On September 13, 2024, Vega pleaded guilty before Acting County Court Judge Richard T. Dunne and is expected to be sentenced to 25 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision on October 16, 2024. He is represented by Christopher Gioe.
Denis previously pleaded guilty on September 4, 2024. She was represented by Ian Fitzgerald.
Assistant District Attorneys Elena Tomaro and Veronica McMahon are prosecuting the case which was investigated by Detective Michael Palumbo of Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.