Sanchez admits guilt to bike path murders
by KIMBERLY M. KARCHER Clarence Editor

Altemio C. Sanchez

Altemio C. Sanchez of Cheektowaga plead guilty to four charges in connection with three murders and rapes of area women on May 16 in Erie County court.

Sanchez, known as the "bike path rapist," was visibly upset, according to police, when he confessed to the 1990 rape and murder of Linda S. Yalem, 22, a UB student; the 1992 rape and murder of Majane Mazur and the 2006 murder of Joan Diver, 45, of Clarence.

"He didn't say much," said Scott Patronik, chief of special services with the Erie County Sheriff's Department. "We only saw the back of him, but he did look distraught as they ran through the charges."

Patronik said there were two charges for the Yalem case because Sanchez committed murder while committing a felony (the rape) which brings up two charges. He faced one charge for the Mazur and Diver cases.

Patronik said the courtroom proceedings were standard as Sanchez was questioned on his guilty plea.

When asked by the judge if he committed the crimes intentionally, Sanchez replied "yes," according to Patronik,

When the judge asked how he committed the crimes, Sanchez's only reply was "I strangled her," Patronik said.

Sanchez's wife, Kathy, was also in the courtroom, Patronik said, and appeared "upset" as she listened to her husband, whom she's supported in past months, confess to the bike path rapes and murders.

Sanchez was arrested in January after police obtained his DNA from a Williamsville restaurant. Forensics then matched the DNA sample to evidence that was collected from some of the 10 crime scenes in which a rape, murder or both to the "bike path rapist."

Patronik said Sanchez gave no reason as to why he changed his plea - he plead not guilty to the Mazur and Yalem murder in late January. At the time, evidence was lacking in connecting him to the scene where Diver's body was found.

A sentencing date of Aug. 2 has been set, but Patronik said that could change in the future.

As for Sanchez' future, he faces the possibility of life behind bars.

e-mail:kkarcher@beenews.com