US man kills 50-year-old girlfriend because he did not like her new haircut

The family is now rallying to secure the funds for the victim's funeral. (Representational)

A domestic dispute over a haircut has left a Pennsylvania, US, family devastated, as 50-year-old Carmen Martinez-Silva was allegedly fatally stabbed by her boyfriend, Benjamin Garcia, in a brutal confrontation on November 3. The incident, which unfolded in East Hempfield Township, Lancaster County, now leaves Garcia, 49, facing multiple charges, including murder and attempted murder.

Police were alerted to the horrifying scene after receiving a 911 call reporting a stabbing incident. Callers described Garcia as “standing there with a knife in hand,” according to court documents cited by Lancaster Online and PennLive. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found Martinez-Silva dead from stab wounds and her brother, Luis Martinez-Silva, severely injured but expected to survive, as confirmed by local outlets. Garcia was reportedly found holding a silver kitchen knife, which authorities allege was used in the attack.

A disturbing account of the events leading up to the murder has emerged through witness statements. According to a probable cause affidavit, Garcia allegedly threatened to stab Martinez-Silva following her recent haircut, a decision that reportedly angered him.

Martinez-Silva’s daughter told police that her mother had stayed at her home the night before, fearing Garcia’s reaction. “[Garcia] told her he was going to stab her over her haircut,” the daughter said in the affidavit, PEOPLE reported.

The fatal altercation reportedly occurred when Martinez-Silva visited her brother Luis’ residence, planning to inform Garcia of her intention to leave him. As per the affidavit, she asked another family friend, Hector Burgos, to convey her message to Garcia, but Burgos was unable to locate him. Undeterred, Garcia allegedly appeared at Luis’ home and, after initially leaving when told Martinez-Silva was not present, returned shortly afterward, determined to confront her.

In a chilling sequence of events described in court documents, Garcia allegedly attacked Luis before turning his aggression toward Martinez-Silva, who reportedly attempted to protect her brother. Witnesses told police that Garcia continued his assault, stabbing her fatally when she intervened.

The tragic incident has left Martinez-Silva’s family in shock, as they now rally to secure the funds for her funeral. In a GoFundMe appeal shared by her daughter, the family expressed their sorrow: “The family is devastated by this loss; we would've never imagined a tragedy like this would happen to our beloved Carmen.”

Garcia is being held without bond on multiple charges, including criminal homicide, attempted homicide, and aggravated assault, among others. At the time of his arrest, no defense attorney was listed in court records, and there has been no indication of a plea.