New York Man Beats 88-Year-Old Neighbor to Death With a Hammer After She Refused to Let Him Borrow Her Car, Prosecutors Say
WATERTOWN, NY – A 40-year-old New York man is facing life behind bars after being convicted of murdering his 88-year-old neighbor with a hammer because she refused to let him borrow her car, prosecutors said.
‘Doing Something Ugly’
According to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Jonathan E. Melendez was found guilty of second-degree murder, first-degree assault, criminal possession of a weapon, and tampering with evidence in the brutal killing of Rena L. Eves.
The crime took place on Aug. 27, 2023, inside Eves’ apartment at Beaver Meadows Apartments in Watertown — roughly 70 miles north of Syracuse.
Prosecutors revealed that Melendez, who represented himself at trial, beat the elderly woman to death with a hammer, then tried to cover it up.
In a text message sent before the murder, Melendez warned his girlfriend that he needed to leave “before doing something ugly.” She responded: “Don’t do anything to her.”
Just hours later, Eves was dead.
Caught Covered in Blood
When police arrived, they discovered the 88-year-old’s body in her home. Melendez was arrested later that same day — wearing two pairs of sweatpants, with one covered in the victim’s blood hidden beneath a clean pair.
In a bizarre 911 call, Melendez told dispatchers that Eves’ car had been stolen. But when officers searched him, they found the fob to her Honda Civic in his pocket. The murder weapon — a blood-covered claw hammer stuffed in a Walmart bag — was found in the trunk of her car.
‘I Didn’t Kill Rena’
During his trial, Melendez took the stand in his own defense, insisting, “I didn’t kill Rena. I loved and cared for her.”
He claimed the blood on his clothing came from a time when Eves had cut her hand, and that he only discovered her body later — but waited several hours to call police because he “fell asleep.”
Prosecutors also played surveillance footage and introduced dozens of pieces of evidence linking him to the murder.
Delusional Defense
At one point, Melendez accused prosecutors of targeting him because of a Freemason conspiracy, a statement that drew a sharp rebuke from County Court Judge David Renzi, who told him conspiracy theories had “no place in the courtroom.”
The jury didn’t buy Melendez’s explanations and returned guilty verdicts on all counts after deliberation.
Motive: Car Denied
Investigators say the motive was chillingly simple — Eves refused to let her younger neighbor borrow her car. That rejection allegedly triggered Melendez’s violent outburst that ended her life.
He now awaits sentencing, scheduled for Dec. 8, and faces the possibility of life in prison.
Remembering Rena Eves
Family members said they were relieved to see justice served.
“As a family, we’re certainly happy to have this come to a close,” one granddaughter said after the verdict. “Just hearing all counts of guilty is really reassuring.”
Eves’ obituary remembered her as a beloved nurse and grandmother who loved gardening, spending time with her three cats — Cindy, Mindy, and Hunter — and meeting friends from Trinity Episcopal Church for luncheons and laughter.
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