Husband Arrested in Stabbing Death of Chubb Employee in N.Y.

The estranged husband of a woman stabbed to death while walking to work has been arrested in her slaying, police said Friday.

Richard Allende, 41, was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder. The stabbing occurred at about 6:30 a.m. Thursday when Karen Allende was walking to her job at the Chubb Group insurance firm in lower Manhattan.

The attacker “came up from behind and made some statements that were heard by a witness” before stabbing her, police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said.

Karen Allende, 40, of the Bronx, was taken in critical condition to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. She had been carrying a copy of a restraining order at the time.

Later that day, Richard Allende was questioned by police, who said the couple had a history of violence. Officials originally believed him to be her ex-boyfriend.

Karen Allende was hired in 2000 by Chubb, where she was an underwriting associate, a company spokesman said.