Bio

Alejandro Henriquez was born in 1961 and grew up in the South Bronx, New York City. He was Hispanic and was known by many people in the neighborhood as “Alex.” As an adult, Henriquez worked around livery cars and was described in news reports as a livery-car or cab driver. Some reports also said he operated or claimed to operate a livery-car business in the Bronx.

Before his murder convictions, Henriquez had other criminal cases. At the time of his 1992 sentencing, he still had to complete sentences connected to an armed robbery in Manhattan and an assault involving the young son of his former wife. Those sentences were separate from the murder case.

Between 1988 and 1990, several young Hispanic victims were found dead in the South Bronx and nearby areas. At first, police did not immediately link all the cases. The killings caused fear in the community, especially after 10-year-old Jessica Guzman disappeared and was later found dead in October 1990.

Investigators later focused on Henriquez because he was connected in some way to each of the three victims for whom he was eventually convicted. He reportedly knew Shamira Bello, had dated Lisa Ann Rodriguez, and was known to Jessica Guzman. He was also seen as a suspect in other deaths, including those of Heriberto Marrero, Nilda Cartagena, and Annette Rosario, but he was never charged in those cases.

The prosecution’s case against Henriquez was largely circumstantial. Prosecutors presented evidence involving fibers and hair, his connections to the victims, and statements he allegedly made or caused others to make. The defense argued that there were no eyewitnesses to the killings and that authorities had unfairly targeted him because of public pressure.

Murder Story

The first convicted murder connected to Alejandro Henriquez was the killing of 14-year-old Shamira Bello. She disappeared from her Bronx neighborhood on July 2, 1988. Her body was found the next day in Pelham Bay Park. Reports stated that she had been sexually assaulted and killed by repeated blows to the head. In June 1990, 21-year-old Lisa Ann Rodriguez disappeared and was later found dead near the Hutchinson River Parkway. She had been strangled. Investigators later said Henriquez had known and dated Rodriguez.

In October 1990, 10-year-old Jessica Guzman disappeared after leaving home. Her body was later found near the Bronx River Parkway. She had been strangled. Her death caused a strong public reaction in the Bronx, and the NYPD created a task force to investigate the string of killings. Henriquez participated in community search efforts and prayer vigils after Jessica disappeared, but investigators became suspicious of him. Reports said he was one of the last people seen with Jessica and that he showed unusual interest in the investigation, including questions about tracking dogs used by police.

Investigators also looked at the earlier killings and found connections between Henriquez and the victims. He knew Shamira Bello, had dated Lisa Ann Rodriguez, and was connected to Jessica Guzman through the neighborhood. A key part of the prosecution’s case involved Henriquez’s nephew, John Anthony Ramirez. Ramirez testified that Henriquez asked him to make phone calls pretending to be the killer. According to the prosecution, Henriquez gave Ramirez details that had not been made public.

The prosecution also used forensic evidence. A police expert testified that hairs and fibers linked Henriquez or his environment to the victims. The defense challenged the strength of the evidence and argued that the case was built without direct proof. Henriquez did not testify during the six-week trial. On August 28, 1992, a Bronx jury convicted him of killing Shamira Bello, Lisa Ann Rodriguez, and Jessica Guzman.

On September 21, 1992, Justice Daniel J. Sullivan sentenced Henriquez to three consecutive terms of 25 years to life in prison, meaning he would not be considered for parole for decades. The New York Appellate Division later affirmed the conviction and sentence in 1995.

Henriquez has continued to maintain his innocence. His final confirmed legal status is imprisoned, serving three consecutive 25-years-to-life sentences.