- The Metropolitan Police failed to act on repeated warnings from Lauris Saldana about her stalker, Miguel Angel Florentino.
- Florentino had a violent history and was aware of ongoing threats, but the police did not escalate the case.
- Lauris Saldana, a domestic abuse survivor, sent detailed emails to police warning of Florentino’s targeting of her family.
- Yolanda Saldana Feliz, Lauris’s mother, was stabbed 40 times and killed in a preventable attack.
- Systemic shortcomings in how the Met handles domestic violence reports were highlighted in the coroner’s conclusion.
Yolanda Saldana Feliz was stabbed 40 times and killed by Miguel Angel Florentino in 2022, a death ruled preventable by a London coroner who found the Metropolitan Police failed to act on repeated warnings from her daughter, Lauris Saldana. Lauris, a domestic abuse survivor with visible scars from a prior attack by Florentino, had emailed police multiple times pleading for help, but received no response. The coroner concluded that timely intervention could have stopped the fatal assault, spotlighting systemic shortcomings in how the Met handles domestic violence reports, especially those involving known stalkers.
Stalker’s History and Final Attack
Florentino had previously attacked Lauris Saldana in 2022, leaving her with life-threatening injuries before being released on bail. Despite being aware of his violent history and ongoing threats, the Metropolitan Police did not escalate the case, even after Lauris sent detailed emails warning that Florentino was targeting her family. The final attack occurred at her mother Yolanda’s home, where Florentino stabbed the 58-year-old repeatedly. According to the inquest, forensic evidence confirmed the brutality of the assault, with Yolanda sustaining 40 stab wounds. The coroner cited a “clear opportunity” for police intervention as documented in police correspondence.
Family’s Outcry and Police Response
Lauris Saldana described feeling abandoned by authorities, stating, “I begged for help, and no one came.” Her testimony during the inquest painted a picture of desperation and institutional neglect. The Metropolitan Police have since issued a formal apology, acknowledging they “failed to meet the required standard” in handling the case. They confirmed internal reviews are underway and pledged to improve protocols for high-risk domestic abuse cases, particularly those involving repeat offenders and familial threats.
Where This Stands Now
The case is now part of a broader review by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime into how stalking and domestic abuse reports are managed. Advocacy groups, including Refuge, are calling for mandatory risk assessments in all such cases. The Met has committed to implementing new training modules by late 2026, while Lauris Saldana continues to campaign for justice and systemic reform to prevent future tragedies.
Source: The Guardian