How The Bike Path Killer Terrorized Buffalo For 16 Years

Two terrible anniversaries are approaching. For decades, a serial killer and rapist evaded capture and terrorized women in Buffalo. The mysterious suspect, dubbed the Bike Path Killer, was not apprehended until 2007, more than 16 years after his first known murder. Two of his victims were killed at the end of September, years apart.

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The first (confirmed) murder victim of the Bike Path Killer was raped and killed on September 29, 1990. Linda Yalem, who was a sophomore at the University of Buffalo, was training for the New York City Marathon along the Ellicott Creek Bike Path.

The Bike Path Killer's second murder was of Majane Mazur on October 30, 1992, near the Amtrak line in downtown Buffalo. She was 32 years old when her life was abruptly cut short. She was survived by her daughter, Christine Mazur.

His third known homicide victim was also killed on September 29, 16 years after his first victim in 2006. Joan Diver was a nurse, wife, and mother to four children. She was strangled to death, and her body was found on a bike path in Newstead, New York.

The Bike Path Killer was also a suspect in the murder of a 15-year-old girl in 1985. Katherine Herold's death was similar to Diver's. Her body was found on July 1, 1985, on the railroad tracks in Kenmore.

The Bike Path Killer got his nickname due to many of his crimes happening near bike paths in the Buffalo area. His first rape is believed to have taken place in 1975.

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Credit: Forensic Factor via Youtube

The Bike Path Killer was arrested on January 15, 2007. Altemio C. Sanchez was charged with the murders of Yalem, Mazur, and Diver. By all accounts, he lived a regular life when he wasn't raping and murdering innocent women. He worked as a machinist at the former American Brass Company plant on Military Road. He lived in the Cleveland Hill neighborhood of Cheektowaga with his wife and sons. Sanchez was also a basketball coach. He was sentenced to 75 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to the murders of Yalem, Mazur, and Diver on May 17, 2007.

The anniversary of his death just recently passed. Sanchez took his own life in prison. He was found in his cell with a self-inflicted cut and pronounced dead on September 22, 2023, at the age of 65. May his victims rest in peace!

Credit: WGRZ-TV via Youtube