A devastating event unfolded over the recent holiday period in Irondequoit with the death of a family. The event occurred on a quiet road named Knapp Avenue, where emergency personnel responded to a distress call emerging from number 329 soon after the early hours of 5:20 a.m. on Saturday. After completion of their efforts to douse multiple fires within the residence, the firefighting team made a horrifying discovery – four lifeless bodies of a family consisting of a man, woman and their two young offspring.
The details around the cause of their demise were not shared by the law enforcement officers, but one statement from them was unequivocal – the individuals comprising the family of four were victims of homicide. The family consisted of the father, Fraime Ubaldo, aged 30, the mother, Marangely Moreno-Santiago, aged 26, and their two young children, Evangeline Ubaldo-Moreno, just 4 years old, and Sebastian Ubaldo-Moreno, even younger at 2 years old.
Lack of clarity still surrounds the exact cause of the family’s demise. The Monroe County Medical Examiner’s Office is yet to establish definitively the causes of death. The police, too, have abstained from sharing any prospective causes, simply clarifying that the fire which engulfed parts of the home was not responsible for the tragic end to the family’s lives.
This raises further questions, as investigators have stated that the fire, rather than being accidental, appears to have been a calculated act aimed at diverting attention from the horrifying murders. Multiple fires were seemingly set in a deliberate way throughout the dwelling – an act that indicates a nefarious intent to hide the evidence of the heinous crime that had transpired within.
No previous reports of troubles or altercations had been made concerning 329 Knapp Ave, a revelation made by the Irondequoit police. In fact, there were no records of any calls or concerns related to the property. The sole instance that the police recalled was unrelated to the family or the property, but pertained to an altogether different incident – the theft of a car in the vicinity.
The house at 329 Knapp Ave was purchased by Ubaldo in the previous year, 2021. He, along with Moreno-Santiago, built a peaceful existence within these walls, marked by the joys of raising their two young children. Moreno-Santiago ceased working after the birth of their children and fully embraced the role of a homemaker.
Providing some geographical context, Knapp Avenue is a tranquil residential street situated just south of Route 104 and in close proximity to North Goodman Street.
The deaths of the family have baffled investigators, not only for the ghastly manner in which the lives of this closely-knit family were extinguished but for the seemingly inexplicable motive behind such an act. The family appears to be central to an unfolding criminal mystery, with the Irondequoit Police left wondering not only about the ‘how’ of their deaths, but, perhaps even more so, about the ‘why’.
Police officials made a statement over the weekend expressing their uncertainty over any motivations or inducements behind this egregious act. They openly admitted to being at the initial stages of the investigation, without any clear leads or possible motives to follow.
Given the early and uncertain status of the investigation, the Irondequoit police department has issued a call-to-action for members of the community or anyone else who may possess information that could aid the investigation. They urge such individuals to reach out directly to the department, communicating via telephone number (585) 336-6000.
In addition to the above, the CrimeStoppers hotline at (585) 423-9300 stands ready to receive any tips or indications that could potentially illuminate the circumstances leading up to the heart-breaking, inexplicable loss of this family.
This devastating incident has sent shock waves through the quiet town of Irondequoit. It’s a grim reminder that even the seemingly safest places are not immune to heinous acts of violence. As investigation continues, the town waits with bated breath for clarity and answers, hoping for the speedy resolution of a mystery that has deeply shaken the community both at Knapp Avenue and beyond.
With no clear narrative available at present, the spotlight falls on microscopic evidence, painstakingly collected and in-depth analytics, carried out by the investigative team. As Irondequoit attempts to return to a semblance of normalcy, the realization that such violence can occur in even the most placid and family-friendly neighborhoods lingers.