The Victims of Altemio Sanchez
Date:
about 1975 – September 29, 2006
Rape & Murder
Buffalo, NY area
48 when apprehended
Machinist & Factory Worker
Altemio Sanchez is a convicted serial rapist and serial killer. Between 1975 and 2006, he stalked and hunted women in and around Buffalo, New York. He's known as The Bike Path Killer and The Bike Path Rapist because he frequently targeted women on Buffalo's bike baths.
Sanchez pleaded guilty to three rapes and murders on May 16, 2007. His victims were Linda Yalem, Majane Mazur, and Joan Diver. He was sentenced to 75 years to life in prison. After his sentencing, Anthony Capozzi, who had been convicted of two rapes with a similar modus operandi, was exonerated when Sanchez's DNA was linked to the rapes. Capozzi served 22 years in prison for Sanchez's crimes.
While convicted for three rapes and murders, investigators have connected Sanchez to as many as 15 rapes. Because New York's statute of limitations had expired, he was not prosecuted for those crimes.
Sanchez was a machinist at the American Brass Company plant in the Buffalo area. He was married with two sons. He was a basketball and Little League baseball coach. He was said to have live a "regular life." At the time of his arrest, he was registered to run in the Linda Yalem Safety Run at the University of Buffalo, a run dedicated to the memory of one of his murder victims, Linda Yalem.
Victims
Court Documents
Felony Complaint
Affidavit Pursuant to CPL 180.80-2
Decision & Order re: News Coverage
Demand for Notice of Alibi
Indictment
Notice of Indictment
Notice of Motion
People’s Demand to Produce
Demand for Discovery & Demand to Produce
Notice of Motion
Response to Motion
Affidavit of Frank Sedita III
Decision & Order
Acknowledgement of Rights Advisement
Demand for Notice of Alibi
Indictment and Prosecution Report
Securing Order
Notice of Motion for Change of Venue
Stipulation Pursuant to NYCRR 1000.13(a)(1)
Decision & Order
Probation Department Investigation Memo
Arraignment, Disposition, and Sentencing
Uniform Sentence & Commitment
Surcharge/Fine/Fee Assessment
Restitution Form – DNA
Restitution Form – DNA
Timeline
Altemio Sanchez Born
Lucy Caraballo gave birth to Altemio C. Sanchez Jr. in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico. The father in Altemio Sanchez, Sr. It has been reported that Sanchez’s mother took an extensive amount of pills in efforts of trying to terminate the pregnancy.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Sanchez Moves to the United States
Lucy Caraballo caught Altemio Sanchez, Sr. having an affair with a prostitute. She relocated to the United States with her son. She lived with her mother in Miami for a short time before moving to New York.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Domestic Abuse
Altemio Sanchez was physically and sexually abused by his mother’s boyfriend. Later, his mother begins to physically abuse him. He also witnesses his mother’s boyfriends physically abuse her.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Happy But Shy
As Altemio Sanchez grew up, his mother developed a drinking problem. At the time, he was characterized as a happy but shy child. He was involved in sports in high school, but because of his fear of approaching and talking to girls, he never had a girlfriend.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Existence a Mistake
Altemio Sanchez’s mother told him that his existence was a mistake, and that she tried to terminate her pregnancy with him by overdosing on pills. During his junior year in high school, he began experiencing blackouts. When he’d regain consciousness, he couldn’t remember anything that had happened.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
First Rape
Altemio Sanchez’s is believed to have committed his first rape after his senior year in high school.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Buffalo State College
Altemio Sanchez enrolled in an indistrial arts program at Buffalo State College.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Call Him “Dave”
Altemio Sanchez attacks a victim while riding her bike, smashing her in the head. The then threatened her with a knife. While he attacks her, he insists that his name is Dave. He is satisfied by rubbing up against her without penetration.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Kathleen Whitley
Altemio Sanchez met Kathleen Whitley at Buffalo State College. They began dating and were married on July 5, 1980.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Rape at Delaware Park
Altemio Sanchez attacked and raped a 21-year-old female victim in the woods near the statue of David in Delaware Park, using a knife in the attack.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Sons are Born
In October 1981, Altemio and Kathleen’s first son, Christopher is born. Their second son, Michael, was born less than a year later.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
American Brass
Altemio Sanchez took a job at American Brass in 1983. His position was later described as machinist and factory worker.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Another Rape at Delaware Park
Altemio Sanchez attacked and raped a 21-year-old female in the woods near the David statue in Delaware Park. He used a gun in this attack.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Third Victim Raped at Delaware Park
Altemio Sanchez attacked and raped a female in the woods near the David statue in Delaware Park. He used a gun in this attack.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Fourth Victim Raped at Delaware Park
Altemio Sanchez attacked and raped a 28-year-old female in Delaware Park.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Turning Point for Altemio Sanchez
As Altemio Sanchez attacked a 21-year-old female, his victim noticed that he put down his pistol as he covered her eyes as to not see her face. She grabbed the gun and beat him with it. After regaining control, he raped his victim. This event is what is believed to have made Sanchez begin to use ligature in his subsequent attacks.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Rape at Railroad Overpass
Altemio Sanchez attacked and raped a 22-year-old female at 1700 Elmwood Avenue near a railroad overpass.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Fifth Victim Raped at Delaware Park
Altemio Sanchez attacked and raped a 21-year-old female in the woods near the David Statue in Delaware Park.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
My Name is “Dave”
Altemio Sanchez insists for the second time to his victim that his name is Dave as he rapes her.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Sixth Victim Raped at Delaware Park
Altemio Sanchez attacks and rapes a 44-year-old female jogger in Delaware Park at about 9:30 AM. He approached her jogging. After he passed her, he turned around and attacked her from behind. Using a ligature, he took her to some underbrush near the path. He tightened the ligature until she lost consciousness, at which point he raped her. Sanchez was linked to this crime through a DNA match.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department, Murderpedia
Victim Raped Near Hamburg High School
Altemio Sanchez attacked and raped a 17-year-old high school student at 9:20 AM. He attacked her from behind and wrapped a white clothesline around her neck twice to control her. He forced her to a path about 300 yards away where he raped her. He told her to wait about 20 minutes before making any moves. Sanchez was linked to this crime through his modus operandi and the time of day.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department, Murderpedia
Victim Raped in a Junkyard
Altemio Sanchez attacked and raped a 16-year-old female. He walked toward her, and after passing her, attacked her from behind and wrapped she described as a wire around her neck to control her. He forced her to a walk about 600 feet into a junkyard where he raped her. Sanchez was linked to this crime through a DNA match.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department, Murderpedia
Call Me Dave One More Time
Altemio Sanchez unsuccessfully attacked a 22-year-old victim in Delaware Park. This is the third and final time he told his victim his name was Dave or David. During this attack, he approached his victim from behind and grabbed her. He was unable to maintain his grip and ran off.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Near an Abandoned Building
Altemio Sanchez walked toward his 15-year-old victim on a path near Riverside High School. He smiled as he passed her. Then he attacked her from behind with a rope and forced her into an abandoned building. He taped her eyes shut with white tape. Sanchez was linked to this crime through a DNA match.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department, Murderpedia
Willow Ridge Bike Path
Altemio Sanchez attacked his 14-year-old victim on the Willow Ridge Bicycle path from behind using a rope that he wrapped around her neck. He forced her into a bushy area where he tied her hands behind her back with white tape. He then taped her eyes and mouth shut. He may have had a knife in this attack. He brought his victim in and out of consciousness. When he was finished, he left her unconscious.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department, Murderpedia
Shortcut Path Near Hamburg High School
Altemio Sanchez attacked his 32-year-old victim on a shortcut path near Hamburg High School at about 7:30 AM from behind. He wrapped a cord tightly around her neck, which rendered her unconscious before she could see his face, and raped her. She was unconscious throughout the entire attack. Sanchez was linked to this crime by the location, time of day, and modus operandi.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department, Murderpedia
Murder of Linda S. Yalem
Altemio Sanchez attacked Linda Yalem, a 22-year-old University of Buffalo student, on the Ellicott Creek bicycle path in Amherst, New York. His method of attack is unknown. He raped her and strangled her to death. Her body was found the following day in an underbrush near the path. Sanchez was linked to this crime through a DNA match.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department, Murderpedia
Co-worker Makes Contact with Amherst Police
Bob McGuire, a co-worker of Altemio Sanchez, made contact with Amherst Police and told them that he had witnessed Sanchez on the Ellicott Creek bike path at least twice over the prior fourteen months. He found this to be suspicious. At 11:10 PM the same night, police set up surveillance on Sanchez’s home.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Interview with Amherst Police
Altemio Sanchez was engaged in a voluntary interview with Amherst Police at the Amherst Police Station. After being questioned for approximately one hour, he was released. No DNA sample was taken; police only took Sanchez’s fingerprints.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Sanchez Arrested in Buffalo, NY
Altemio Sanchez was arrested in Buffalo, NY for solicitation of an undercover police officer. He was charged with loitering; he paid a fine.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Murder of Majane Mazur
Altemio Sanchez attacked Majane Mazur, a 32-year-old mother and prostitute, who had reportedly encountered Sanchez on more than on occasion. Sanchez hadn’t intended on killing her. While they were engaged in sex, he put a bag over her head and she began to fight. He then killed her because she could identify him. Sanchez was linked to this crime through a DNA match.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department, Murderpedia
Another Victim Raped in a Junkyard
Altemio Sanchez attacked a 14-year-old female high school student behind a junkyard at 276 Military Road near Hertel Avenue in the Riverside section of Buffalo, NY. Sanchez was linked to this crime through a DNA match.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department, Murderpedia
Sanchez Runs in Linda Yalem’s Memorial Run
On the sixth anniversary of murdering Linda Yalem, Altemio Sanchez participated in an annual race in honor of Linda Yalem. His bib number was 679.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Sanchez Arrested Again in Buffalo, NY
Altemio Sanchez was arrested for a second time in Buffalo, NY. He was caught with a prostitute. His charge was reduced to loitering and he paid a fine.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Lucy Caraballo, Sanchez’s Mother, Died
Altemio Sanchez Sr., Sanchez’s Father, Died
Murder of Joan Diver
Altemio Sanchez attacked Joan Diver, a 45-year-old jogger, on the Clarence/Newstead bicycle path. She was not raped. She was murdered by strangulation and blunt force trauma. Sanchez was linked to this crime through a DNA match.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department, Murderpedia
New Nickname Emerges
Altemio Sanchez, who had previously been known as The Bike Path Rapist, began to be known as The Bike Path Killer.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
DNA Ties Bike Path Killer to Joan Diver Murder
A droplet of sweat was found in Joan Diver’s car. After testing it for DNA, it comes back as a match to the Bike Path Rapist/Killer.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Sanchez’s DNA Collected
Altemio and Kathleen Sanchez dined at Sole Restaurant. Afterwards, a linen napkin, dish, and straw are collected for a DNA sample.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Lab Confirms DNA Match
Lab reports confirm that the DNA taken from the samples from the items taken from Sole Restaurant match the Bike Path Rapist/Killer. Altemio Sanchez is the Bike Path Rapist and Bike Path Killer.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Sanchez Taken into Custody
Altemio Sanchez is taken into custody. His interrogation began at 9:30 AM and lasted nine and a half hours, after which he was arrested.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department
Indictment
Altemio Sanchez was indicted by a grand jury for the murders of Linda Yalem, Majane Mazur, and Joan Divers.
Source: Erie County Indictment 00128-2007-002
Sanchez Pleaded Guilty
Altemio Sanchez pleaded guilty to four counts of 2nd Degree Murder.
- Count 1: Murder in the second degree, causing the death of Linda Yalem.
- Count 2: Murder in the second degree, causing the death of Linda Yalem during the commission of a rape in the first degree.
- Count 3: Murder in the second degree, causing the death of Majane Mazur.
- Count 4: Murder in the second degree, causing the death of Joan Divers.
Source: Erie County Arraignment, Disposition, and Sentencing
Sanchez Sentenced
Altemio Sanchez is sentenced by Judge Christopher J. Burns.
- Count 1: 25 years to life.
- Count 2: 25 years to life, concurrent with Count 1.
- Count 3: 25 years to life, consecutive to Counts 1 & 2.
- Count 4: 25 years to live, consecutive to Count 3.
Sanchez was transported to Clinton Correctional Facility.
Source: Erie County Uniform Sentence and Commitment
Altemio & Kathleen Sanchez Divorce is Official
Sanchez Admits to Two More Rapes
Altemio Sanchez was transported from prison to another location to be interviewed by investigators. During the interview, he admits to two more rapes.
Source: Radford University Psychology Department