Francisco Acevedo
New York Serial Killer Case
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
New York, United States
TIME PERIOD
1989-1996
VICTIMS
3 confirmed
The case involves Francisco Acevedo, an American serial killer convicted of strangling three women in New York between 1989 and 1996. The murders occurred in the Bronx and Greenburgh, with the victims being Maria Ramos, Tawanda Hodges, and Kimberly Moore, all found naked and beaten. Acevedo was apprehended on April 21, 2010, after his DNA, collected during a drunk driving arrest, matched evidence from the crime scenes. In 2012, he was sentenced to 75 years to life in prison, despite maintaining his innocence regarding the murders. Significant evidence included DNA linking Acevedo to all three victims, confirming his involvement in the crimes.
Francisco Acevedo's early history of violent behavior and substance abuse has led some to theorize that his criminal patterns may have escalated from earlier offenses, such as the sexual assault in 1986. There is speculation that his ability to evade capture for several years could indicate he had a specific method or strategy for targeting victims, which he refined over time. Additionally, some believe that his troubled upbringing and personal struggles contributed significantly to his violent tendencies.
The Chilling Case of Francisco Acevedo
Overview
Francisco Acevedo, an American serial killer born on September 2, 1968, in Meriden, Connecticut, is a figure whose dark actions have left an indelible mark on New York's criminal history. Convicted of strangling three women between 1989 and 1996, Acevedo's capture in 2009 was nothing short of a dramatic twist that revealed the complexities of forensic science and the often-overlooked narratives of victims.
Early Life
Raised in a troubled household, Acevedo was one of three children to Yadira Acevedo. His parents’ divorce when he was just 14 years old left scars that would set the stage for his tumultuous teenage years. By the age of 12, he was already grappling with substance abuse, dabbling in alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine.
Dropping out of high school during his freshman year, Acevedo bounced between jobs, from laborer to cook, and even midnight baker at Dunkin' Donuts. In the 1990s, he settled in Mount Vernon, New York, where he met his future wife at New Way Kitchen. Together, they had two sons, but his domestic life was marred by violence.
A History of Violence
Acevedo's criminal behavior began long before his notorious murders. On July 3, 1986, he lured a woman into his company truck, taking her to a secluded area where he bound her, blindfolded her, and sexually assaulted her. The victim's courage led to her escape, and Acevedo was sentenced to ten years in prison, but he was released in June 1988.
His violence did not end there. In 1997, he faced charges of third-degree assault against his wife in Yonkers, only for the charge to be dismissed. A year later, he was arrested again for breaking her nose during a brutal confrontation, ultimately serving nine months for this misdemeanor.
A Gruesome Pattern
Years later, Acevedo's life took a darker turn. On January 26, 2009, he was arrested for drunk driving in Brentwood. While incarcerated, he provided a DNA sample as part of a routine parole application. This seemingly innocuous decision would seal his fate when his DNA was linked to three cold cases involving the brutal murders of young women.
The victims—Maria Ramos, 26, murdered on February 5, 1989; Tawanda Hodges, 28, murdered on March 28, 1991; and Kimberly Moore, 30, murdered on May 24, 1996—were found naked and beaten, arranged posthumously in a grotesque tableau. Investigators had long suspected a connection between these unsolved cases due to matching DNA evidence found on each victim, yet they lacked a suspect until Acevedo's DNA linked him to the horrors of the past.
The Trial
Despite maintaining his innocence, claiming he had sexual contact with the victims but was uninvolved in their deaths, Acevedo was ultimately found guilty. He was acquitted of three counts of rape, as all the victims were known sex workers, but the jury saw through his claims. On the first day of deliberations, Acevedo was convicted of second-degree murder on three counts. He was sentenced to a staggering 75 years to life in prison, with each term to be served consecutively.
Currently, Acevedo resides at Green Haven Correctional Facility, where he faces the consequences of his heinous actions.
Conclusion
Francisco Acevedo's story is a reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath a seemingly ordinary life. His descent into the abyss of violence not only devastated the lives of his victims but also serves as a cautionary tale about the factors that can lead an individual down a path of destruction.
Sources
- Fitzgerald, Jim. "Man convicted of 3 NY killings gets 75 to life." News Tribune. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
- David, Will. "Suspect in Yonkers serial killings flew under the radar." www.practicalhomicide.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
- Miller, Carlin. "Unsuspecting Serial Killer Caught with DNA Sample Provided in a Bid to Get Parole, Say Cops." CBS News. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
- "Man who voluntarily gave up DNA guilty of murders." Deseret News. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
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First Murder Committed
Maria Ramos is murdered in the Bronx, marking the first known victim of Francisco Acevedo.
Second Murder Committed
Tawanda Hodges is murdered in the Bronx, becoming Acevedo's second victim.
Third Murder Committed
Kimberly Moore is murdered in Greenburgh, marking the third victim linked to Acevedo.
Arrest for DUI
Francisco Acevedo is arrested for drunk driving, leading to a DNA sample submission.
DNA Linked to Murders
Acevedo's DNA is linked to evidence from the three unsolved murders, identifying him as a suspect.
Apprehended
Francisco Acevedo is apprehended by authorities as a suspect in the murders.
Convicted of Murders
Acevedo is found guilty of three counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to 75 years to life.
The case involves Francisco Acevedo, an American serial killer convicted of strangling three women in New York between 1989 and 1996. The murders occurred in the Bronx and Greenburgh, with the victims being Maria Ramos, Tawanda Hodges, and Kimberly Moore, all found naked and beaten. Acevedo was apprehended on April 21, 2010, after his DNA, collected during a drunk driving arrest, matched evidence from the crime scenes. In 2012, he was sentenced to 75 years to life in prison, despite maintaining his innocence regarding the murders. Significant evidence included DNA linking Acevedo to all three victims, confirming his involvement in the crimes.
Francisco Acevedo's early history of violent behavior and substance abuse has led some to theorize that his criminal patterns may have escalated from earlier offenses, such as the sexual assault in 1986. There is speculation that his ability to evade capture for several years could indicate he had a specific method or strategy for targeting victims, which he refined over time. Additionally, some believe that his troubled upbringing and personal struggles contributed significantly to his violent tendencies.
The Chilling Case of Francisco Acevedo
Overview
Francisco Acevedo, an American serial killer born on September 2, 1968, in Meriden, Connecticut, is a figure whose dark actions have left an indelible mark on New York's criminal history. Convicted of strangling three women between 1989 and 1996, Acevedo's capture in 2009 was nothing short of a dramatic twist that revealed the complexities of forensic science and the often-overlooked narratives of victims.
Early Life
Raised in a troubled household, Acevedo was one of three children to Yadira Acevedo. His parents’ divorce when he was just 14 years old left scars that would set the stage for his tumultuous teenage years. By the age of 12, he was already grappling with substance abuse, dabbling in alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine.
Dropping out of high school during his freshman year, Acevedo bounced between jobs, from laborer to cook, and even midnight baker at Dunkin' Donuts. In the 1990s, he settled in Mount Vernon, New York, where he met his future wife at New Way Kitchen. Together, they had two sons, but his domestic life was marred by violence.
A History of Violence
Acevedo's criminal behavior began long before his notorious murders. On July 3, 1986, he lured a woman into his company truck, taking her to a secluded area where he bound her, blindfolded her, and sexually assaulted her. The victim's courage led to her escape, and Acevedo was sentenced to ten years in prison, but he was released in June 1988.
His violence did not end there. In 1997, he faced charges of third-degree assault against his wife in Yonkers, only for the charge to be dismissed. A year later, he was arrested again for breaking her nose during a brutal confrontation, ultimately serving nine months for this misdemeanor.
A Gruesome Pattern
Years later, Acevedo's life took a darker turn. On January 26, 2009, he was arrested for drunk driving in Brentwood. While incarcerated, he provided a DNA sample as part of a routine parole application. This seemingly innocuous decision would seal his fate when his DNA was linked to three cold cases involving the brutal murders of young women.
The victims—Maria Ramos, 26, murdered on February 5, 1989; Tawanda Hodges, 28, murdered on March 28, 1991; and Kimberly Moore, 30, murdered on May 24, 1996—were found naked and beaten, arranged posthumously in a grotesque tableau. Investigators had long suspected a connection between these unsolved cases due to matching DNA evidence found on each victim, yet they lacked a suspect until Acevedo's DNA linked him to the horrors of the past.
The Trial
Despite maintaining his innocence, claiming he had sexual contact with the victims but was uninvolved in their deaths, Acevedo was ultimately found guilty. He was acquitted of three counts of rape, as all the victims were known sex workers, but the jury saw through his claims. On the first day of deliberations, Acevedo was convicted of second-degree murder on three counts. He was sentenced to a staggering 75 years to life in prison, with each term to be served consecutively.
Currently, Acevedo resides at Green Haven Correctional Facility, where he faces the consequences of his heinous actions.
Conclusion
Francisco Acevedo's story is a reminder of the darkness that can lurk beneath a seemingly ordinary life. His descent into the abyss of violence not only devastated the lives of his victims but also serves as a cautionary tale about the factors that can lead an individual down a path of destruction.
Sources
- Fitzgerald, Jim. "Man convicted of 3 NY killings gets 75 to life." News Tribune. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
- David, Will. "Suspect in Yonkers serial killings flew under the radar." www.practicalhomicide.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
- Miller, Carlin. "Unsuspecting Serial Killer Caught with DNA Sample Provided in a Bid to Get Parole, Say Cops." CBS News. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
- "Man who voluntarily gave up DNA guilty of murders." Deseret News. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
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First Murder Committed
Maria Ramos is murdered in the Bronx, marking the first known victim of Francisco Acevedo.
Second Murder Committed
Tawanda Hodges is murdered in the Bronx, becoming Acevedo's second victim.
Third Murder Committed
Kimberly Moore is murdered in Greenburgh, marking the third victim linked to Acevedo.
Arrest for DUI
Francisco Acevedo is arrested for drunk driving, leading to a DNA sample submission.
DNA Linked to Murders
Acevedo's DNA is linked to evidence from the three unsolved murders, identifying him as a suspect.
Apprehended
Francisco Acevedo is apprehended by authorities as a suspect in the murders.
Convicted of Murders
Acevedo is found guilty of three counts of second-degree murder and sentenced to 75 years to life.