ICE Confirms Suspect in Slaying of MyPillow Employee is Illegal Immigrant

Last week, 55-year-old America Mafalda Thayer was brutally beheaded in Shakopee, Minnesota by a man who has since been confirmed as an illegal immigrant from Cuba. 

“Alexis Saborit-Viltres, 42, is a citizen of Cuba who is unlawfully present in the United States. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has not placed a detainer on Saborit-Viltres following his recent arrest for second-degree murder in Shakopee, Minnesota,” Ice spokesperson Shawn Neudauer told Alpha News. 

What may come as a shock, Saborit-Viltres was actually Thayer’s longtime boyfriend of about 12 years. The couple were allegedly on their way to his court appearance when Thayer said she wanted to end their relationship. He allegedly admitted to killing her in response, according to the Star Tribune. 

Unfortunately, this isn’t Saborit-Viltres’ first offense. He has a long criminal history, including multiple convictions for domestic abuse, DUI, and fleeing police custody. He also has pending charges for first-degree arson, first-degree criminal damage to property, and obstruction of the legal process stemming from a 2020 arrest in Scott County. 

ICE previously attempted to deport him in 2012, but the attempt was unsuccessful because Cuba wouldn’t approve the necessary travel documents. He was eventually released on an order of supervision. 

Saborit-Viltres faces a second-degree intentional murder charge after using a machete on Thayer in the middle of a residential intersection. Several bystanders witnessed and filmed the horrific incident. 

Thayer held two jobs at MyPillow and Dollar Tree, the latter which she left in 2020. My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell confirmed her employment in a statement. 

"America has been with MyPillow for many years, bringing smiles to so many faces," Lindell said. "She was so sweet and kind. We are devastated and are praying for her family."