ARTICLE UPDATE – 4/21/25:
Metropolitan Nashville Police captured and arrested 54-year-old Candido Raul Rubio-Perez, the estranged husband accused of fatally stabbing his wife as she arrived for work at Chadwell Elementary School on April 14.
The victim, 52-year-old Niurka Alfonso-Acevedo, worked as a custodian at the Nashville school. Police say Rubio-Perez had been waiting for the victim in the parking lot and attacked her when she exited her vehicle. Another staff member arrived at the school around 6 a.m. and found Alfonso-Acevedo lying in the parking lot.
Rubio-Perez fled the scene but was apprehended three days later at an apartment complex in Madison. He was booking into the Downtown Detention Center on a charge of criminal homicide, The Tennessean reports.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE – 4/17/25:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A custodian at a Nashville elementary school was fatally stabbed by her estranged husband in the school parking lot on Monday.
Metropolitan Nashville Police say the suspect, 54-year-old Candido Raul Rubio-Perez, was waiting outside Chadwell Elementary School when 52-year-old Niurka Alfonso-Acevedo arrived at work early Monday morning, The Charlotte Observer reports. Rubio-Perez allegedly ambushed Alfonso-Acevedo before fleeing the scene.
Neighbors called 911 when they heard the attack. Another staff member arrived at the school around 6 a.m. and found Alfonso-Acevedo lying in the parking lot.
Chadwell Elementary students were temporarily relocated to the nearby former Gra-Mar Middle School on Monday.
“Students who ride the bus will be transported directly to the new location, and families of car riders are encouraged to drop their students off at Gra-Mar,” Metro Police wrote in a statement. “For students who typically walk to school, MNPS transportation will have buses stationed near Chadwell to provide transportation to the temporary site.”
Grief counselors and support staff were also made available at the school.
Metro police are still searching for Rubio-Perez, who has been charged with criminal homicide. Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Callers can remain anonymous and qualify for a cash reward of up to $5,000 in homicide cases.
Victim’s Family: Estranged Husband Had History of Abuse
Alfonso-Acevedo’s daughter, Kiomy Martinez, told NewsChannel5 that her mother and Rubio-Perez, her stepfather, were together for more than two decades but split up late last year. Kiomy said her mother had been living in fear since Rubio-Perez wanted to get back together.
“He called her [the night before the murder] asking for another chance, but she said no,” friend Jorge Felix told WSMV.
Loved ones allege Rubio-Perez had assaulted Alfonso-Acevedo on numerous occasions, including an assault that landed her in the hospital on Christmas day.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence or abuse, here are some resources:
