Murder suspect allegedly had restraining order, ankle monitor on during fatal stabbing

Paul Senecal, 38, has been arrested and charged with murder. A source close to the family says the victim was his ex-girlfriend’s 29-year-old daughter, Melanie Chianese. 

Blaise Gomez

May 31, 2022, 4:47 PM

Updated 924 days ago

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News 12 is learning more information about a fatal stabbing in Wappingers Falls Sunday. 
Paul Senecal, 38, has been arrested and charged with murder.
A source close to the family says the victim was his ex-girlfriend’s 29-year-old daughter, Melanie Chianese. 
Chianese lived with her mother and her 3-year-old son at the family’s home on Scott Drive, where she was reportedly stabbed multiple times.
The source tells News 12 that Senecal had been arrested three times for domestic violence-related offenses and had a restraining order against him to protect the victim’s mother.
It’s alleged that a restraining order was previously requested for the victim but denied.
News 12 is told that Senecal was scheduled to be sentenced on a felony contempt charge related to an offense against the victim’s mother on June 24 and that he had an ankle monitor on. 
Authorities say Chianese was taken to the hospital and died from her injuries. 
A neighbor tells News 12 that she saw the victim running from her home covered in blood, unable to speak but motioning for help. 
Senecal was found Sunday night on the Mid-Hudson Bridge, where he reportedly planned to commit suicide. 
News 12 has calls out to the Dutchess County Sheriff‘s Office and the Dutchess County District Attorney‘s Office for more information.
The murder was the second domestic violence-related fatal stabbing over the weekend in Dutchess County.
A woman was killed Friday night on South Grand Street in Poughkeepsie. Stanley Robinson, 37, is charged with murder in that case.