Buffalo Man Indicted for Murdering His Wife Inside Their West Side Apartment

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Antonio Prieto, 46, of Buffalo was arraigned this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Debra Givens on an indictment charging him with one count of Murder in the Second Degree (Class "A-I" felony).

It is alleged that on Monday, August 26, 2024, at approximately 3:45 a.m., Buffalo Police officers responded to a reported domestic incident at an apartment on the 300 block of Rhode Island Street. Officers found the victim, 29-year-old Elibeth Salazar, deceased on the floor of a bedroom. The defendant is accused of intentionally causing the death of his wife by striking her with an axe while inside of their shared apartment.

Prieto was found by police inside of the bathroom of the apartment with self-inflicted knife wounds. He was taken by ambulance to ECMC. The defendant was initially arraigned before Buffalo City Court Judge Gary W. Wilson, Jr. on the murder charge while hospitalized.

Prieto is scheduled to return on Monday, October 28, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. for a pre-trial conference. He remains held without bail.

If convicted of the charge, Prieto faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

Acting DA Keane commends the Buffalo Police Department Homicide Squad for their work in this investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Justin H. Caldwell of the Homicide Bureau.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

If you or someone you know is a victim or may be at-risk of domestic violence, help is available through the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program. While our staff specialize in trauma-informed support and victim advocacy following the arrest of an offender, you do not need to have a pending criminal case to speak with an advocate and access services. For more information on BE SAFE, call 716-858-4630 or visit www.erie.gov/besafe.