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.
Below is the release from the Rye Brook Police on the original call.
On the morning of March 30 2026, Rye Brook Police Department patrol units were called to a residence on Westview Avenue for a report of a dispute. Upon arrival, responding officers located a 37-year-old female assault victim inside the residence, unconscious and not breathing. Officers began CPR on the victim and detained a male party in the residence. Port Chester Rye Rye Brook EMS arrived on scene shortly thereafter and administered lifesaving measures. The victim is currently in critical but stable condition.
Rye Brook Police detectives began an investigation with the assistance of the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and the Westchester County Department of Public Safety. Subsequently, Hugo Soto-Diaz, age 30, who resides at the address of the incident, was charged with 2nd Degree Attempted Murder and was arraigned at Rye Town Court. Mr. Soto-Diaz is currently being held at the Westchester County Jail.
