Buffalo Man Pleads Guilty for Killing His Wife Inside Their West Side Apartment

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane announces that Antonio J. Prieto, 47, of Buffalo, pleaded guilty this morning before State Supreme Court Justice Debra Givens to one count of Manslaughter in the First Degree (Class B violent felony). Prieto pleaded guilty to the charge in full satisfaction of the indictment.

On Monday, August 26, 2024, at approximately 3:45 a.m., Buffalo Police officers responded to a report of a domestic incident at an apartment on the 300 block of Rhode Island Street. Officers found the victim, 29-year-old Elibeth Salazar, dead on the bedroom floor. The defendant caused the death of his wife by striking her with an axe while inside of their shared apartment. Police found the defendant inside of the bathroom of the apartment with self-inflicted knife wounds. He was taken by ambulance to ECMC where he received treatment for the injuries.

Prieto faces a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. The defendant, who has been in custody since his initial arraignment in the hospital, continues to be held without bail.

DA Keane commends the Buffalo Police Department Homicide Squad for their work in this investigation as well as victim advocate Clarissa Acosta.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Justin H. Caldwell of the Homicide Bureau and Assistant District Attorney Megan E. Mahoney of the Felony Trials Bureau.

If you or someone you know is a victim or may be at-risk of domestic violence, help is available through the BE SAFE Domestic Violence Victim Advocacy Program. While our staff specialize in trauma-informed support and victim advocacy following the arrest of an offender, you do not need to have a pending criminal case to speak with an advocate and access services. For more information on BE SAFE, call 716-858-4630 or visit https://www.erie.gov/besafe.