Woman found fatally stabbed in Glen Cove parking lot, say police

The Nassau County Homicide Squad is investigating the fatal stabbing of a woman who police said was killed while on her way to pick up her young daughter in Glen Cove.

Yanira Estella Canjura Martinez, 32, of Glen Cove, was walking in the back of a parking lot in the 200 block of Glen Street about 3:15 p.m. Thursday when she was attacked by a man and stabbed repeatedly, police said Friday.

Det. Capt. John Azzata said Martinez was pronounced dead at Glen Cove Hospital shortly after 4 p.m.

Police are looking at security camera footage, but Azzata said they were unable to identify the suspect from the video.

"We did recover surveillance video that shows portions of what we believe the assault to be," he said.

Martinez, a single mother, was on her way to pick up her 5-year-old daughter when she was attacked, Azzata said.

Friday, a vase filled with red artificial flowers and two candles was left at the scene of the stabbing.

Azzata said the girl's father is believed to be in El Salvador. Asked if the attack could have been related to a domestic issue, the detective said: "We are definitely pursuing that as an avenue."

There were no indications of prior domestic abuse, Azzata said.

Glen Cove police responded to an emergency call in the parking lot on Glen Street about 3:15 p.m. and found Martinez on the ground with multiple stab wounds.

Detectives ask anyone with information on the stabbing to call Crime Stoppers at 800-244-8477. All information will be kept confidential.