Mother of 1 died in front of her 3-year-old daughter after her ex-boyfriend, against whom she previously obtained a restraining order, stabbed her to death; man arrested

The sheriff’s office commenced its investigation on Saturday afternoon when a three-year-old girl was discovered alone by her grandmother in a residential complex. The child, visibly distressed with dried blood on her face and clothing, led to a frantic search by the deputies. The mother, Molina, was soon found dead in her car nearby, covered with blankets in the passenger seat, with multiple stab wounds on her neck, torso, and other extremities.

Nath was arrested early Sunday following a traffic stop. He exhibited defensive wounds and was found in possession of Molina’s personal items. Nath claimed he was intending to return them, suggesting a recent encounter with the victim. His statements and physical evidence led to his arrest on charges of second-degree murder and child abuse. He remains detained at the county jail without bond. The backdrop to this horrifying act was a pattern of stalking and harassment that Molina endured from Nath, prompting her to obtain a restraining order. Tensions escalated when Nath confronted Molina and her current boyfriend at a mall the day before the murder, culminating in a verbal altercation. These interactions underscored the fraught relationship between Nath and Molina, which tragically ended in violence.

According to deputies, on the day of the murder, Nath had breakfast with Molina and her daughter. The young girl later recounted to deputies that her mother had been hit in the head and was sleeping, a child’s interpretation of her mother’s lifeless state. Molina’s family, devastated by the loss, pointed to Nath’s obsessive behavior as a clear warning sign that went tragically unheeded. Investigations revealed Nath’s inconsistent accounts of the events leading up to the discovery of Molina’s body. Utilizing cellphone data, detectives were able to track the movements of Nath and the victim’s phone from her home to Nath’s residence and back to the crime scene, further implicating him in the murder.

The tragic death of Molina is a stark reminder of the fatal consequences that can arise from domestic disputes and the importance of taking threats and restraining orders seriously. As the legal process unfolds, the community and Molina’s family seek justice for a life cut tragically short, leaving a young child motherless. The case also highlights the critical need for effective intervention and support systems in preventing domestic violence and protecting those at risk.