Woman leaving leasing office stabbed to death by her downstairs neighbor after complaining that he was harassing her over spilled water: Police

Inset top: Michael Cain (Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center). Inset bottom: Esmeralda Linette Romero (Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home). Background: The apartment complex in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where the incident took place (KRQE/YouTube). 

A dispute over spilled water at a New Mexico apartment complex led a man to fatally stab his neighbor after she spoke with management, authorities say.

Michael Cain, 39, has been charged with an open count of murder in the death of 22-year-old Esmeralda Romero, as well as aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and tampering with evidence, according to Bernalillo County jail records reviewed by Law&Crime.

The defendant is being detained in the area's Metropolitan Detention Center without bail.

On Monday, Cain was at his home at Albuquerque Encore Apartments in Albuquerque. Also at the apartment complex at the time was Romero, Cain's upstairs neighbor.

The defendant was apparently incensed because water was dripping from Romero's patio onto his own patio, according to court documents obtained by local NBC affiliate KOB. He complained to the leasing office, whose employee said she would handle it, and then he left.

Romero had her own complaints. She reportedly went to the leasing office after Cain, saying her neighbor had come to her apartment, banged on her door, and harassed her.

She said that sometimes water drips from her dog's bowl, dismissing Cain's accusations that she purposely pours water onto his patio, area ABC affiliate KOAT reported. The employee said she was trying to figure out a solution and told her to call security or 911 if Cain threatened her.

As the victim was leaving, Cain allegedly ran from the parking lot and attacked Romero with a knife, stabbing her multiple times and ultimately killing her. The leasing office employee said Cain then ran away before dropping the knife, calling 911, and mentioning stabbing someone.

Police responded to the area and arrested Cain.

Authorities said the defendant's hand appeared to be injured, and he was treated at an area hospital before being jailed.