A 23-year-old man, Jhon Paul Cela-Pichisaca, was arrested on murder charges following the fatal stabbing of 39-year-old Nelson Chumap in Norwich on Friday night. Police responded to William W. Backus Hospital around 11:35 p.m. after an unresponsive man, covered in blood, was brought in. Chumap was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, with investigators confirming that he had suffered a fatal stab wound.
Officers traced the incident back to a residence at 118 Baltic Road, which was secured as a crime scene. Cela-Pichisaca, who was found inside the home, was initially arrested on charges of third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace after witnesses reported a physical altercation between him and Chumap prior to the victim’s death.
As detectives conducted interviews, seized critical evidence, and reviewed hours of video footage over the weekend, Cela-Pichisaca was later charged with murder and carrying a dangerous weapon. He was held on a $500,000 cash surety bond.
During his arraignment at Norwich Superior Court, the prosecutor clarified that the incident was not domestic in nature. Cela-Pichisaca’s lawyer declined to comment on his client’s citizenship, but the bond commissioner noted that he had only been in Connecticut for about one month.
Cela-Pichisaca, a part-time roofer with no prior criminal history, will appear in court again on February 3. The investigation is ongoing.