WORCESTER, Mass. — 25 Investigates has learned there is a federal investigation into how a wanted man was able to leave the country and then get back into the United States seemingly undetected.
Once back in the country, police say that man stabbed a woman to death inside a Worcester restaurant.
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol confirmed on Monday that an investigation is ongoing. The suspect, Carlos Asencio, is a U.S. citizen and was traveling using his U.S. passport.
Investigators say he brutally attacked his ex-girlfriend in April, then fled the country. Despite an active warrant for his arrest, he somehow got back into the U.S. and allegedly went after the same woman.
Worcester Police arrested the 28-year old Asencio on July 3 for the murder of 31-year-old Amanda Dabrowski, his ex-girlfriend.
Related: Court docs: Suspect attacked ex at home, Worcester restaurant after breakup
He allegedly stabbed her to death inside a popular Worcester restaurant as she was meeting with her book club.
Just months earlier, on April 21, police in Ayer say Asencio broke into her home in the middle of the night. He allegedly used a stun gun on her, tried to strangle her and stabbed her before she broke free.
Later that same day, investigators say Asencio, took off.
According to the Ayer police report, Asencio left his home in Nashua, N.H., on Easter Sunday. The report says he drove north to Vermont and went straight to the Canadian border.
He crossed at the Stanstead, Quebec, border checkpoint, where police say he was briefly questioned. He claimed he was visiting friends for a couple of days.
But from the checkpoint he continued on to the Montreal airport.
That’s where, investigators say, he boarded an Air Canada flight bound for Cancun, Mexico, using his U.S. passport.
The Middlesex District Attorney's Office had an active warrant for his arrest – and notified federal authorities. But Asencio somehow made it back into the country undetected, before allegedly tracking down Dabrowski and killing her.
Boston 25 News asked CBP how Asencio was allowed back into the country and when he came back.
The agency would only confirm the investigation and wouldn't comment further.
For now, he's in custody undergoing a mental health evaluation as ordered by a judge.
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