Suffolk Reporter

Eduardo Vega, 58, of Islip Terrace, has pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree for fatally stabbing his son-in-law, Roshane McLaren, 34. The incident occurred in the driveway of their home in Islip Terrace. Vega's wife and co-defendant, Tanya Denis, 48, also pleaded guilty to Hindering Prosecution in the Third Degree for her involvement.

"This defendant killed Roshane McLaren, his own son-in-law, leaving his infant grandchild without a father," said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney. "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."

Court documents and Vega's admissions during his guilty plea revealed that on September 27, 2022, an altercation took place at their residence involving Vega and one of Denis' daughter's husbands. The situation escalated when Vega threw a lawn chair and threatened to hit him with a baseball bat. Attempts by the daughters to intervene resulted in Vega punching one of them.

The victim deescalated the situation initially before learning that Vega had struck his wife during the altercation. Upon returning home with Denis shortly after, Vega was confronted by McLaren in the driveway about hitting his wife. In response, Vega stabbed McLaren twice in the chest, causing fatal injuries. He then fled the scene but was later located by Denis who provided him with money and drove him to Brentwood train station from where he fled to Brooklyn. Vega surrendered to authorities on October 2, 2022.

McLaren was transported to South Shore University Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

On September 13, 2024, Vega entered a guilty plea before Acting County Court Judge Richard T. Dunne and is expected to be sentenced to 25 years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision on October 16, 2024. He is represented by Christopher Gioe.

Denis had previously pleaded guilty on September 4, 2024, and was represented by Ian Fitzgerald.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Elena Tomaro of the Homicide Bureau and Veronica McMahon of the Major Crime Bureau. Detective Michael Palumbo led the investigation for Suffolk County Police Department’s Homicide Squad.