Man Pleads Guilty To Manslaughter After Killing Son-In-Law: DA

ISLIP, NY — An Islip Terrace man pleaded guilty to manslaughter after fatally stabbing his son-in-law, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney announced Friday.

Eduardo Vega, 58, of Islip Terrace, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter for fatally stabbing Roshane McLaren, his 34-year-old son-in-law, in the driveway of their Islip Terrace home in 2022, the DA said.

Vega’s wife and co-defendant, Tanya Denis, 48, also of Islip Terrace, pleaded guilty to third-degree hindering prosecution for her role in the commission of the murder, the DA said.

According to the investigation and Vega's plea, on September 27, 2022, Vega and Denis lived with Denis’ two daughters, their husbands and children. That morning, Vega and one of Denis’ daughter’s husbands got in an argument in the backyard. Things escalated when Vega threw a lawn chair and threatened to hit the son-in-law with a baseball bat, the DA said.

When one of Denis's daughters tried to intervene, Vega punched her in the face, the DA said. Vega left the home on foot and while he was out, McLaren learned that Vega had punched his wife, the DA said.

When Vega returned to the home, McLaren confronted Vega for hitting his wife while standing in the driveway, the DA said. Vega then stabbed him in the chest twice, piercing his left lung, heart, diaphragm and stomach, the DA said.

Vega then fled the scene and shortly after, Denis located him, gave him money and drove him to the Brentwood train station where he rode a train to Brooklyn, the DA said.

Meanwhile, McLare was transported to South Shore University Hospital where he was pronounced dead, the DA said.

On October 2, 2022, Vega turned himself in at the Suffolk County Police Department’s Third Precinct, the DA said.

“This defendant killed Roshane McLaren, his own son-in-law, leaving his infant grandchild without a father,” Tierney said. “I thank the Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad for their thorough investigation which led to this plea. Notwithstanding this result, our thoughts and prayers remain with the family and friends of Roshane McLaren.”

On September 13, 2024, Vega pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, a Class B violent felony, before Acting County Court Judge Richard T. Dunne, the DA said.

He is expected to be sentenced to 25 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision, the DA said.

Vega is due back in court for sentencing on October 16 and is represented by Christopher Gioe.

"Mr. Vega was given the opportunity to take responsibility for what he did with the manslaughter plea and he accepted that and acknowledged his wrongdoing," Gioe told Patch.

Denis previously pleaded guilty on September 4 to third-degree hindering prosecution, a Class A misdemeanor, the DA said.

She was represented by Ian Fitzgerald, Esq.