Altemio Sanchez

Background

Altemio Sanchez was an American serial killer who murdered at least three women and raped at least 14 others in and around Buffalo, New York, over a span of 25 years (1981-2006). He was also known as "The Bike Path Rapist."

He acquired the nickname because many of his crimes took place near secluded bike paths. Detectives in Buffalo, New York, hunted for a predator for 20 years. Police dubbed him the Bike Path Rapist because many of his attacks occurred on bike paths in Buffalo and surrounding communities. Police believed he attacked women and teenagers walking alone.

From 1986 to 1994, women in Buffalo lived in fear of this predator. In an eight year span, police said the Buffalo Bike Path Rapist raped nine women and killed two of them. Later, the attacks stopped until 2006.

The offence

Police said the rapist was patient and waited for the right time to attack, rather than the right victim. He attacked his victims from behind and strangled them with a rope or a wire. Several times he strangled his victims until they were unconscious and then dragged them into wooded areas where he raped them.

The Bike Path Rapist used strips of duct-tape and white medical adhesive to tape his victim's eyes, noses and mouths shut. Police said all ten of the attacks occurred in the morning between May and October on every day except Sunday.

He left DNA at nearly all of the crime scenes so police were able to find out a lot about him. His blood type was O. He was described as a white man with Native American ties. Police said his genetic make-up most closely resembled one of a Hispanic man.

Between 1992 and 1994, police said he lost the ability to produce sperm, either through a vasectomy or a medical condition. Police also knew information from what victims had been able to tell him. He once said that his name was "Dave" and that he had just gotten out of jail for raping and killing a woman.

The suspect wore different types of clothing in his attacks, including a gray jogging suit, blue jeans, a red t-shirt and a blue flannel shirt- jacket. He had also carried a duffel bag and worn a fanny pack. Police thought the Bike Path Rapist may have had medical or military training.

Victims

Linda Yalem was a sophomore at the University of Buffalo. She was killed September 29, 1990.

Majane Mazur was murdered in November, 1992. A five-year-old daughter was left behind.

Joan Diver was murdered September 29, 2006. Her body was found on October 1, 2006, on a bike path in Newstead, New York. Joan Diver was described as a stay-at-home mother of four.

The killer murdered at least three women and raped at least 14 others. He was also a suspect in an ongoing investigation for the murder of a 15-year-old girl in 1985.

Investigation

Police said DNA found at eight crime scenes matched DNA secretly taken from Sanchez before his arrest.

Many of the rapes attributed to Sanchez were expected to go unprosecuted due to the statute of limitations on the prosecution of rape that was in effect in New York at the time those crimes were committed.

Arrest

On January 15, 2007, police in Erie County, New York, arrested Sanchez and charged him with the murder of Majane Mazur, a charge to which Sanchez pleaded not guilty.

Trial

On January 19, 2007, an Erie County grand jury voted to indict Sanchez for the murders of Yalem and Mazur.

On May 16, 2007, Sanchez pleaded guilty to the murders of Linda Yalem, Majane Mazur, and Joan Diver.

A verbatim quote appeared as:

"I strangled her" On May 16, 2007 . Used a cord that he tightened to gain control of his victim. Took her to some underbrush near the path. Later tightened the cord until she lost consciousness.

Sentencing

On August 15, 2007, Sanchez was sentenced to 75 years in prison with no chance of parole.

Outcome

Sanchez was currently being held in the Clinton State Prison. He may be moved to a facility closer to his family if he confesses to further murders.

Other details

Exoneration of Anthony Capozzi

In March 2007, Anthony Capozzi was freed from state prison after serving 22 years for two rapes with a similar modus operandi.

After the arrest of Sanchez, investigators realized that the crimes were similar, took place in the same area, and that Sanchez and Capozzi resembled each other. A sample of DNA from Sanchez was linked to the rapes for which Capozzi had been convicted in 1985.

Capozzi maintained his innocence, and was denied parole. Capozzi was described as schizophrenic, and his attorney hoped a civil lawsuit would force the state to provide for his medical care.

State Assemblyman Sam Hoyt and State Senator Dale Volker introduced legislation that would expedite such lawsuits. The bill was known as Anthony's Law.