NYC man charged with the murder of his girlfriend 'cries uncontrollably in court' after he 'stabbed her 20 times before leaving her body in apartment bathtub'

The man accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death and leaving her remains in her bathtub has been put on suicide watch.

Candido Rodriguez, 51, was arrested on Thursday in connection with the murder of Melanie Woods, 33, who was discovered on Tuesday with multiple stab wounds and a slash across her neck.

He wailed and cried uncontrollably as he was arraigned in Manhattan Criminal Court on Friday on charges of first-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

Prosecutor Marcella Lupski alleged that Rodriguez stabbed Woods more than 20 times in her neck, torso and legs after he waited for her to return to her apartment from a dog walk.

His defense lawyer Jessica Horani pleaded with Judge Michael Ryan for her client to receive immediate medical attention, and he was remanded without bail and placed on suicide watch.

The man accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend (pictured) to death and leaving her remains in her bathtub has been put on suicide watch

Candido Rodriguez (pictured), 51, was arrested on Thursday in connection with the murder of Melanie Woods, 33, who was discovered on Tuesday with multiple stab wounds and a slash across her neck.

Woods (pictured) 33, was found dead in the tub inside her home on Second Ave. near E. 117th St. around 6 p.m. Tuesday after a panicked friend called police asking them to check on her

Woods was scheduled to go to California but did not make the flight, which concerned her mother and her friend who tracked her phone’s location to her apartment

Rodriguez and Woods were in an on-off relationship, and she told him not to contact him anymore, according to the prosecutor.

The defendant allegedly sent her a series of one sided messages which were angry and hostile before he went to her apartment building at around 6am on April 23.

Woods returned from her early morning dog walk around an hour later and neighbors told police they heard loud shouting, crashes and screams from her apartment.

'Around 8am, the noise stopped,' Assistant Manhattan District Attorney Lupski said. 'A neighbor heard the door shut and footsteps going down the stairs.

'The defendant brutally murdered his ex-girlfriend and left her in the bathtub of her apartment.'

Woods' family wants to bring her home to California and a GoFundMe has raised more than $36,000 toward her funeral costs 

She was described as a loving dog owner who traveled, enjoyed adventure and was ‘always rooted for the underdog’

Prosecutor Marcella Lupski alleged that Rodriguez stabbed Woods (pictured) more than 20 times in her neck, torso and legs after he waited for her to return to her apartment from a dog walk.

She added that Rodriguez was seen on video leaving the building and hailing a cab.

Woods was later discovered on Tuesday when her friends grew concerned and asked for a wellness check from the New York City Police Department.

Rodriguez's defense attorney asked for him to receive immediate medical treatment and the judge agreed to put him on suicide watch as he was seen 'incredibly distraught'.

He wailed as he was brought into the courtroom and was inconsolable while his case was heard.

Woods was scheduled to go to California but did not make the flight, which concerned her mother and her friend who tracked her phone’s location to her apartment.

She was described as a loving dog owner who traveled, enjoyed adventure and was ‘always rooted for the underdog’.

‘To know Melanie was to love her,’ her family wrote on a GoFundMe. ‘She was a vibrant soul who brought out the best in anyone around her, this we will never forget.’

They want to bring her home to California and they have raised more than $36,000 for her funeral costs.

Rodriquez's defense lawyer Jessica Horani pleaded with Judge Michael Ryan for her client to receive immediate medical attention, and he was remanded without bail and placed on suicide watch

‘It’s hard to say goodbye to someone who had a big impact on our lives,’ her family added.

‘It’s always hard to lose someone you know, to let go of Melanie, and move on. But if we keep those good memories in our hearts and minds, we can find comfort and Melanie will always be with us.

‘Rest in peace, beautiful girl. We love you so much.’