By David Lohr
May 20, 2007
BUFFALO, N.Y. (Crime Library) — The "Bike Path Rapist" attacked at least 11 women over the past two decades, killing three of them. The case received national media attention last November when authorities linked the death of 45-year-old mother of four Joan Diver to a series of attacks that started in the 1980s and mysteriously stopped in the mid-1990s. Last week, the man responsible pled guilty to three counts of second-degree murder.
On May 16, 2006, Altemio Sanchez, 49, stood before state Supreme Court, Judge Christopher Burns and admitted to killing Linda Yalem in 1990, Majane Mazur in 1992 and Joan Diver last September. Regarding each victim, Sanchez said, "I strangled her."
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| Judge Christopher Burns |
Sanchez' wife, Kathleen, sat in the back of the courtroom and wept during the proceedings. Afterwards, she released a statement through her attorney:
"It is so unimaginable to us that someone that we have truly loved and respected so much for so many years could be capable of violent acts, and we're sincerely sorry and filled with grief for your tragic losses."
Following the hearing, Sanchez' attorney, Andrew LoTempio, told The Associated Press that his client had reviewed the DNA evidence and decided to plead guilty because he wanted to spare his family the ordeal of a trial.
"His decision to do this was mostly based on saving his wife and children from hearing the dirty details of behavior that he's totally ashamed of," LoTempio said.
In response to LoTempio, Erie County District Attorney Frank Clark declared, "The only thing he's remorseful for is that he was caught, and but for the grace of God, if he wasn't, he'd still be out there."
Next Page
Suspected "Bike Path Rapist" Altemio Snachez Also Suspected in Multiple Rapes
Suspect Arrested in Bike Path Murders
New Hotline Set Up for Tips on Bike Path Rapist
Joan Diver's Slaying "Irrefutably" Linked to Bike Path Rapist
Jogger Mom Slaying Revives Fears of Bike Path Rapist
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