Gabriela Nicole Pratts case: what three witnesses said in Aibonito
Three witnesses agree there were multiple fights the night of the crime in Aibonito; only one claimed to have seen Anthonieska Avilés stab the victim.
Witnesses diverge on stabbing of 'Lela' in Aibonito
Gabriela Nicole Pratts, known as 'Lela', sustained 11 stab wounds on the Roberto Colón bypass in Aibonito between 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, 10 August and 12:04 a.m. on Monday, 11 August 2025, days before turning 17. According to univision.com, the only ones charged with her murder are Elvia Cabrera and her minor daughter, Anthonieska Avilés.
The prosecution has presented four witnesses in the preliminary hearing proceedings against mother and daughter. Three of them—Miriathny Avilés, Betzaida Caratini and Gabriela Figueroa—testified under oath that they were present at the scene. Forensic pathologist Javier Gustavo Serrano is the fourth witness.
Three simultaneous fights: the point of agreement
The three witnesses agree that there were multiple altercations on the bypass that early morning. Miriathny Avilés, Anthonieska's half-sister, testified on 17 October 2025 in the preliminary hearing against Elvia Cabrera that three fights took place at once. Gabriela Figueroa, who testified in the preliminary hearing against Anthonieska held weeks later, likewise stated that there were "three fights at once". Betzaida Caratini, who testified at both hearings, did not mention that specific number, but did confirm that there was more than one violent incident during the night.
The three also agree that the origin of one of the altercations was the romantic relationship of Miriathny, then 17 years old, with Karelyn, 25. Her sister Fabiola opposed the relationship owing to the age difference, a point that Miriathny, Figueroa and Caratini confirmed separately before the court.
None of the witnesses elaborated on the reason for the fight between Lismary Torres, 'Lela's older sister, and Anthiany Avilés, Elvia Cabrera's older daughter. It was whilst attempting to defend her sister that Gabriela Nicole confronted Anthonieska. According to Figueroa's testimony, Anthiany struck Lismary first after shouting at her that she "always had problems because she was loud-mouthed". The two separated, but Lismary resumed the fight by attacking Anthiany from behind. Of more than ten people present at the location, including more than five men, only Reynaldo, Lismary's husband, intervened to remove her from the altercation.
The differences: who saw what
On the central point of the case—whether anyone saw Anthonieska Avilés stab 'Lela'—the accounts diverge.
Miriathny Avilés stated that she saw her half-sister stabbing the victim "once". Betzaida Caratini, by contrast, said that she observed Anthonieska punching Gabriela Nicole whilst holding her against a car, without describing a direct stabbing. Gabriela Figueroa stated that she did not see the act: she was fighting with Lisandra Rosario, the victim's mother, at that time. According to Figueroa, it was Anthonieska herself who later confessed to her, once away from the bypass, that she had stabbed 'Lela', and showed her some cuts on her hand. Figueroa testified under oath that Anthonieska never specified to her how many stab wounds she had inflicted.
The weapon: unidentified six months later
Six months after the crime, neither the blade nor its owner has been identified. The witnesses' accounts also diverge on this point.
Miriathny Avilés stated that she saw a "sharp" object fall beside her half-sister during the fight, without knowing who dropped it. Betzaida Caratini pointed directly at Elvia Cabrera: according to her testimony, the mother was the one who handed the weapon to her daughter. Caratini said she saw it, but could only describe it as something black and silver, similar to a pen, and that Elvia took it from a dark purse that she had asked a friend named Lechandra to hold.
Gabriela Figueroa described that purse differently: according to her, it was cream-coloured, with two tones, and a Coach brand.
Defence attorney Anthelyn Jiménez Emmanueli questioned Figueroa about Anthonieska's physical condition after the incident. Figueroa acknowledged having seen cuts on the defendant's hand, but admitted not having noticed bruises on her knees.
Hearing continues on 20 February
The preliminary hearing against Anthonieska Avilés, intended to determine whether there is probable cause to take the case to trial, will continue on 20 February with testimony from forensic pathologist Javier Gustavo Serrano. According to his report already submitted, the teenager sustained 11 stab wounds.
The preliminary hearing against Elvia Cabrera has already concluded its testimonial phase with the four witnesses presented by the prosecution.
Source: Google News PR — Crime