On the morning of January 13, 2025, 22-year-old Jylin Matute-Ayala, a Hispanic woman from Fayetteville, North Carolina, was found shot dead on Topeka Street. According to reports, Matute-Ayala had texted her husband, Cristofer Puente-Mendoza, earlier that morning as she left their home on Walden Drive to head to work. However, shortly after, police responded to a shooting in the 700 block of Topeka Street, where they discovered her body.
Investigators noted that the assailant initially drove off with her car but later abandoned it nearby. Her husband expressed deep grief and confusion, stating that she had no known conflicts with anyone and that it was unusual for her to be in that neighborhood, as it was in the opposite direction of her workplace.
Authorities confirmed that Matute-Ayala’s death marked the fifth homicide in Fayetteville within the first 15 days of the year. Comparatively, the city had only recorded three homicides in the first quarter of 2024. The Fayetteville Police Department urged anyone familiar with Matute-Ayala’s daily routine to come forward, hoping to piece together missing details in the investigation.
On January 23, 2025, police arrested 19-year-old Elijah Lee in connection with the murder. Lee was charged with first-degree murder and is currently being held at the Cumberland County Detention Center without bond. Law enforcement officials assured the public that they are actively investigating the case and working to bring justice to Matute-Ayala’s family. They emphasized their commitment to solving the case, stating that while an arrest does not bring back the victim, it provides some measure of closure for her loved ones.
