A Miami steakhouse manager faces a second-degree murder charge after his mother was found fatally stabbed inside his Brickell apartment. Stefano Eduardo Cremasco-Cicero, 36, was arrested after police said they found him covered in blood and holding a knife in the building lobby early Friday. He told officers he had been defending himself, while investigators continued examining surveillance footage, access records and physical evidence. He is being held without bond and has an immigration detainer.
| 1) | Police respond to an early-morning emergency |
| 2) | Surveillance outlines the hours before the discovery |
| 3) | Investigators collect knives and other evidence |
| 4) | The case involves a restaurant executive and an immigration hold |
| 5) | Motive remains unclear as the prosecution develops |
Police respond to an early-morning emergency
Miami police were dispatched at about 4:47 a.m. Friday to a high-rise in the Brickell neighborhood after a request for assistance. Officers found Stefano Eduardo Cremasco-Cicero in the lobby with blood on his hands, clothing and shoes. He allegedly directed them to the apartment, where his mother was found behind the front door with multiple apparent stab wounds.
Miami Fire Rescue pronounced the woman dead shortly after 5 a.m. Authorities have not publicly identified her or disclosed her age. Police said she was visiting from Mexico and had been staying with her son. Cremasco-Cicero allegedly told officers, “I was defending myself,” but was subsequently charged with second-degree murder with a weapon.
Surveillance outlines the hours before the discovery
Investigators reviewed building surveillance video and access records to establish what happened before police arrived. The footage allegedly showed Cremasco-Cicero and his mother returning to the building together at about 10:32 p.m. Thursday. They were reportedly alone in an elevator at that time.
At approximately 4:26 a.m., video allegedly showed Cremasco-Cicero entering an elevator wearing a white shirt, khaki pants and white shoes that appeared to be covered in blood. Police said he was carrying a knife, dropped it after leaving the elevator, picked it up and then used another elevator. He later appeared in a long-sleeved blue shirt, left the building while using his phone and returned minutes later.
Investigators collect knives and other evidence
A food delivery driver encountered Cremasco-Cicero in the lobby after he allegedly opened the building door and asked her to call 911. He ultimately placed the call himself, then handed the phone to the driver so she could provide the building information to the dispatcher. The driver noticed blood on him and later gave the phone to responding officers after he allegedly declined to take it back.
After obtaining a search warrant, homicide detectives allegedly recovered several kitchen knives with blood on them, blood-spattered shirts, broken glass and a broken wine bottle inside the apartment. Investigators also photographed Cremasco-Cicero and collected his clothing. Police said he had small cuts on his hands and blood residue on his body and clothing.
The case involves a restaurant executive and an immigration hold
Cremasco-Cicero was identified as the U.S. operating manager of the high-end 1986 Steakhouse in Miami. His wife told detectives she was in France attending a wedding when the killing occurred. She said his mother had been staying with him and that the two had not been close since his parents divorced.
The arrest report identified Cremasco-Cicero as a Miami resident through an investor visa. Miami-Dade jail records show he was booked Friday night at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. The records list no bond, a domestic-violence designation and a hold for federal immigration authorities.
“On August 5, 2026, ICE lodged a detainer for Stefano Eduardo Cremasco Cicero, a criminal illegal alien from Mexico, charged with homicide. We are calling on Florida to honor our detainer. His claims will be heard by an immigration judge and he will receive due process.”
Motive remains unclear as the prosecution develops
The motive for the killing remains unclear. Cremasco-Cicero’s wife told investigators he had recently been under stress while preparing to open a restaurant in Coconut Grove, but that information does not establish a motive or determine what led to the alleged stabbing.
The criminal case will proceed separately from any immigration proceedings. The murder charge is an allegation, and Cremasco-Cicero remains entitled to due process while prosecutors, defense attorneys and investigators address the evidence and his self-defense claim.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | The defendant faces a second-degree murder charge with a weapon. |
| 2 | His mother was found fatally stabbed in a Brickell apartment. |
| 3 | Surveillance footage and physical evidence are central to the investigation. |
| 4 | He is being held without bond with an immigration detainer. |
Summary
Miami police arrested a steakhouse manager after finding his mother dead from apparent stab wounds in his apartment. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage and seized items as they assess his claim that he acted in self-defense. The criminal prosecution and immigration process will continue independently, with the motive still undetermined.
Frequently Asked Questions
What charges does Stefano Eduardo Cremasco-Cicero face?
He faces a charge of second-degree murder with a weapon in connection with his mother’s death.
Where was the victim found?
She was found behind the front door of her son’s apartment in a high-rise in Miami’s Brickell neighborhood.
Why is there an immigration detainer?
Federal immigration authorities lodged a detainer, and jail records show that he is being held without bond while the criminal and immigration matters proceed.
