Westchester Man Admits To Deadly 2024 Stabbing In Mount Vernon

MOUNT VERNON, NY — A Westchester man who was a fugitive from justice has admitted to a 2024 fatal stabbing in Mount Vernon.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced on Tuesday that 36-year-old Ronald Hechavarria, of Mount Vernon, pleaded guilty on Monday to felony first-degree manslaughter, for stabbing another Mount Vernon man to death in 2024.

At his sentencing on April 17, Hechavarria is expected to be sentenced to 25 years in state prison, in addition to five years of post-release supervision.

"The defendant's cold-blooded assault left another man for dead, and for that he will spend the next several decades behind bars," Cacace said. "My heart breaks for the victim's loved ones. We will always seek the most severe penalties for those who take another human life."

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According to prosecutors, on Aug. 1, 2024, Hechavarria stabbed 37-year-old Michael Clay several times, causing his death.

After killing Clay, Hechavarria fled to Norfolk, Virginia, where he was later arrested as a fugitive from justice and returned to Westchester County.

The case was investigated by the Mount Vernon Police Department, the FBI Safe Streets Task Force, the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, and the Norfolk Police Department.

The case is being prosecuted by Violent Criminal Enterprise Bureau Chief James Bavero and Assistant DAs Kevin Jones and Leigh Wellington.