Rye Brook Man Indicted for Murder, Manslaughter

April 29, 2026

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced today that Hugo Soto-Diaz, 30, of Rye Brook, was arraigned today on one count of Murder in the Second Degree, a class A felony and one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a class B felony.

Soto-Diaz pleaded not guilty on all charges. Judge Anne Bianchi remanded Soto-Diaz to the Westchester County Jail pending further proceedings. He is due back in court on June 3.

Samantha Maldacker, 37, was found unconscious at the suspect’s Westview Avenue home in Rye Brook on March 30, 2026, the victim of apparent strangulation. Soto-Diaz was subsequently arrested by the Rye Brook Police Department and charged with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree. Maldacker died from her injuries at a local hospital days later. A grand jury indicted Soto-Diaz on the higher charges.

DA Cacace said: “I am thankful for the diligent police work of the Rye Brook Police Department on this senseless and tragic act of violence. Our office will honor the memory of Samantha Maldacker by holding Hugo Soto-Diaz fully accountable for his heinous actions.”

This case was investigated by the Rye Brook Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Major Case Bureau Deputy Chief Elizabeth Shumejda and Assistant District Attorney Victoria Clarkson.

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The charges against the defendant are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.