Last Wednesday, a Salinas man confessed to the 2023 murder of his girlfriend. He is being sentenced to 16 years to life in prison.

Rodrigo Bravo, 31, admitted to stabbing his girlfriend and mother of his children to death in June 2023, according to a news release.

The victim, Eleni Tavua, had a domestic violence restraining order against Bravo. The suspect violated the restraining order and on June 23, entered Tavua’s residence when their two young children were also present.

While he was at the residence, Bravo and Tavua got into an argument. During the argument, Bravo pulled out a knife and stabbed Tavua at least five times, hitting her aorta. Bravo fled the residence immediately and left Tavua bleeding to death with her children, ages one and two, at her side.

Bravo is being charged with second-degree murder. He will be sentenced on March 5 by Judge Andrew G. Liu and will receive a sentence of 16 years to life in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.