Hekima Batiste, 37, allegedly forced his way into his estranged wife's apartment on Seventh Street and Long Beach Boulevard early Monday morning.
Police say the two struggled, and she stabbed him. Batiste died at the scene.
The woman was arrested but later released because police believe she was acting in self defense.
The two apparently were living apart. Authorities said they were married for about a year.
Detectives are still investigating and will present their findings to the district attorney's office, which will ultimately rule on whether or not she acted in self defense.
