Husband, wife charged in the 2019 stabbing death of Ryan Sorensen
MILWAUKEE - A Milwaukee couple has been charged in the September 2019 stabbing death of Ryan Sorensen, according to a criminal complaint.
Angel Monge-Mathuzima, 31, and Shirley Monge, 32, both face felony murder - battery charges following the late-night stabbing death of Sorensen following an argument over bikes, according to the complaint.
Angel Monge Mathuzima, Shirley Louise Monge
Just before 2 a.m. on September 15, 2019, Ryan Sorensen and two friends were walking near S. 71st Street and W. Beecher Street when the married couple rode past on their bikes. Sorensen allegedly made a comment about wanting their bikes and that upset the woman, according to the complaint.
Neighbors were shocked by this crime, and even a year later, couldn’t believe another surprise revealed in court documents.
“Looking outside, seeing a man on the ground - calling 911,” Sheila Cotton said.
Surveillance footage outside of Sheila Cotton's home.
It happened almost one year ago, right out in front of Cotton’s front door and captured on her doorbell camera:
“The day after, I broke down,” she said. “It was scary. I couldn't believe something like that happened.”
It's still taking her by surprise.
Monge allegedly circled back around Sorensen and "angrily spoke" to the group, the complaint said.
Surveillance footage of Monge and Monge-Mathuzima on bikes
According to a member of the group, Monge got close to Sorensen and was either pushed off her bike or she ran into him and fell off. Sorensen allegedly knocked Monge's phone out of her hand and that is when she started swinging at the victim. The husband also joined in on the fight, the complaint said.
His two friends pulled the couple off Sorensen and they allegedly fled on their bikes.
Shortly after the couple fled, his friends noticed Sorensen had been stabbed in the chest.
Bill Sorensen
“I would like to ask these people what possessed you to do something that evil?” Ryan’s father Bill Sorensen said.
Sorensen's father, Bill, spoke with FOX6 last week when the arrests were made. The suspects took off on their bikes and prosecutors say they left behind blood evidence at the scene. Later a confession from Monge helped close the case.
“I thought they didn't have enough evidence," Cotton said. "I thought they were waiting for someone to turn themselves in."
An investigation found blood in the street matched that of Monge-Mathuzima, according to the Combined DNA Index System. Billing records also showed he lived two blocks from where the incident occurred.
With the defendants living so close, for so long, Cotton wonders why it took nearly a year to make the arrests.
Sheila Cotton
“They were probably scared," she said. "Probably didn't leave the house much. Why we didn't see them around?”
Monge was questioned by police and she admitted to being involved in the incident, saying an argument happened, she was pushed off her bike and Sorensen put her in a chokehold. She said that's when her husband intervened, according to the complaint.
If convicted, the couple each faces nearly 12 years in prison. They are both due back in court for their preliminary hearings on August 11.
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