NM NM - Kaitlyn Arquette, 18, murdered, Albuquerque, 16 Jul 1989
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New Mexico man confesses to killing 2 women more than 30 years ago, Albuquerque police say
He was a security aide when he allegedly committed at least one murder...
He was a security aide when he allegedly committed at least one murder...
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I first heard of Paul Apodaca, and the Kaitlyn Arquette connection, last night while surfing You Tube. I'm glad the KA murder has been solved, and I always believed that her involvement with gangs were a factor in nobody having been arrested. (No, I'm not blaming her, but WHY was an honor student, raised in a middle-class family, hanging around with gang members? Yeah, I know she can't tell us now.)
Let's get this monster put away forever.
Let's get this monster put away forever.
JerseyGirl
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Suspect in three cold case murders to remain behind bars until trial
Apodaca is also charged with the 1988 stabbing death of Althea Oakley, and he allegedly confessed to murdering Kaitlyn Arquette in 1989 but he has not been charged in that case yet.
Apodaca's defense argued his confession can't be trusted. They say he was drunk, and has a history of mental health issues.
Apodaca is also charged with the 1988 stabbing death of Althea Oakley, and he allegedly confessed to murdering Kaitlyn Arquette in 1989 but he has not been charged in that case yet.
Apodaca's defense argued his confession can't be trusted. They say he was drunk, and has a history of mental health issues.
CastlesBurning
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Prosecutors plow forward with '80s cold case
Prosecutors are grinding ahead with their case against a man accused of killing three women in the late 1980s and are tracking down and interviewing witnesses, Deputy District Attorney David Waymire told a judge Friday.
The investigations into all three cold-case homicides are proceeding simultaneously, he told 2nd Judicial District Judge Courtney Weaks.
Paul Apodaca, 54, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the killings of 18-year-old Kaitlyn Arquette in July 1989, 13-year-old Stella Gonzales in September 1988, and 21-year-old Aletha Oakley in June 1988.
No trials have been scheduled in any of those cases.
Police allege Apodaca confessed to the killings after he was picked up by University of New Mexico Police in 2021.
His attorney, Nicholas Hart, contends the alleged confessions were obtained by “unconstitutional and coercive” methods.
“Those statements are in fact striking because of what they do not contain; the statements do not contain a single fact that had not previously been disclosed to the public in these three high-profile, widely-covered cases,” Hart said in a written response to questions from the Journal.
Prosecutors so far have interviewed up to 50 witnesses “but there are still a lot to go,” Waymire said at the hearing in Arquette’s killing.
“We’re doing them on all three cases,” he said. “Some of the witnesses overlap, some don’t. We are just kind of going through and trying to do as many as we can. It is harder to track down some of the witnesses from that long ago.”
Apodaca appeared in the remote hearing from the Lea County Correctional Facility, where he is being held on a probation violation.
Arquette was shot in the head as she was driving east on Lomas NE near Arno in July 1989. Her car crashed into a lightpole. She died the next day.
Arquette’s killing attracted national attention, in part because her mother, successful novelist Lois Duncan, wrote a nonfiction book about the killing, “Who Killed My Daughter?” Duncan died in 2016.
Hart estimated that the defense team has interviewed about 40 witnesses so far, “with more scheduled during the next two months.”
The prosecution’s case suffers because of the age of the killings, Hart said.
“There are witnesses that the state cannot find,” he said. “There are witnesses who have limited to no memory of statements that they previously gave. And there are witnesses that have passed away.”
The prosecution has disclosed the results of DNA and fingerprint testing, but “no physical evidence has been produced that ties Mr. Apodaca to any of these offenses,” Hart said.
Prosecutors are grinding ahead with their case against a man accused of killing three women in the late 1980s and are tracking down and interviewing witnesses, Deputy District Attorney David Waymire told a judge Friday.
The investigations into all three cold-case homicides are proceeding simultaneously, he told 2nd Judicial District Judge Courtney Weaks.
Paul Apodaca, 54, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the killings of 18-year-old Kaitlyn Arquette in July 1989, 13-year-old Stella Gonzales in September 1988, and 21-year-old Aletha Oakley in June 1988.
No trials have been scheduled in any of those cases.
Police allege Apodaca confessed to the killings after he was picked up by University of New Mexico Police in 2021.
His attorney, Nicholas Hart, contends the alleged confessions were obtained by “unconstitutional and coercive” methods.
“Those statements are in fact striking because of what they do not contain; the statements do not contain a single fact that had not previously been disclosed to the public in these three high-profile, widely-covered cases,” Hart said in a written response to questions from the Journal.
Prosecutors so far have interviewed up to 50 witnesses “but there are still a lot to go,” Waymire said at the hearing in Arquette’s killing.
“We’re doing them on all three cases,” he said. “Some of the witnesses overlap, some don’t. We are just kind of going through and trying to do as many as we can. It is harder to track down some of the witnesses from that long ago.”
Apodaca appeared in the remote hearing from the Lea County Correctional Facility, where he is being held on a probation violation.
Arquette was shot in the head as she was driving east on Lomas NE near Arno in July 1989. Her car crashed into a lightpole. She died the next day.
Arquette’s killing attracted national attention, in part because her mother, successful novelist Lois Duncan, wrote a nonfiction book about the killing, “Who Killed My Daughter?” Duncan died in 2016.
Hart estimated that the defense team has interviewed about 40 witnesses so far, “with more scheduled during the next two months.”
The prosecution’s case suffers because of the age of the killings, Hart said.
“There are witnesses that the state cannot find,” he said. “There are witnesses who have limited to no memory of statements that they previously gave. And there are witnesses that have passed away.”
The prosecution has disclosed the results of DNA and fingerprint testing, but “no physical evidence has been produced that ties Mr. Apodaca to any of these offenses,” Hart said.
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In 2021, Paul Apodaca confessed to three murders dating back to 1988. But his attorney says that confession is no good.
Detective: “So, where did you shoot Kaitlyn?”
Paul Apodaca: “In the head.”
Two years ago, in a University of New Mexico holding cell, Albuquerque police detectives finally got the answers they had been waiting more than 30 years for.
Detective: “Why did you do it?”
Paul Apodaca: “I had (inaudible) my heart.”
Detective: “You had what in your heart?”
Paul Apodaca: “Anger.”
Documents allege Apodaca was never read his rights before then admitting to the murders and being questioned about it. That brings us to the confession with Albuquerque police.
Detective: “Is he good to hang out for a few minutes?”
Court documents allege the paramedics were told to hold off while APD questioned Apodaca. Though he was slowly read his rights.
Detective: “Do you know what you’re saying and doing right now?
Apodaca: “I do.”
www.kob.com
Detective: “So, where did you shoot Kaitlyn?”
Paul Apodaca: “In the head.”
Two years ago, in a University of New Mexico holding cell, Albuquerque police detectives finally got the answers they had been waiting more than 30 years for.
Detective: “Why did you do it?”
Paul Apodaca: “I had (inaudible) my heart.”
Detective: “You had what in your heart?”
Paul Apodaca: “Anger.”
Documents allege Apodaca was never read his rights before then admitting to the murders and being questioned about it. That brings us to the confession with Albuquerque police.
Detective: “Is he good to hang out for a few minutes?”
Court documents allege the paramedics were told to hold off while APD questioned Apodaca. Though he was slowly read his rights.
Detective: “Do you know what you’re saying and doing right now?
Apodaca: “I do.”
Attorney for accused serial killer files motion to throw out murder confession
In 2021, Paul Apodaca confessed to three murders dating back to 1988. But his attorney says that confession is no good.
www.kob.com
Guilty. It’s finally over. Serial killer sentenced to 45 years behind bars
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Finally. I hope this brings some peace to the families.
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Did they ever find out whether Apodoca was hired to kill Kait?
Loudestbough
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I have so many questions... This "neat little package complete with a bow" doesn't pass the smell test. I don't know if you live here or not, but APD has a history. I kinda feel like this just checks some boxes and thats about it.
And then they go on TV and tell everyone about the serial killer they caught through hard work and diligence? He basically said "take me to jail".
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Yes, a DOB is needed for that surname in New Mexico! Likely the decedent's age or a bit older, but that isn't enough.
KOAT says he is 56:
Albuquerque 1980s mass murderer pleads guilty to charges
An Albuquerque serial killer from the late 1980s plead guilty to three murder charges in court.
www.koat.com
Likely born in 1967. The articles all refer to PA as Paul, so at least wading through middle & familial names won't be a problem.
Offender Search | New Mexico Corrections Department
www.cd.nm.gov
imho, a scary person! Not sure the copied link will take you to his page. NO dob listed -- but WOW he's been violent....
Some justice for the families, at least.
jmho ymmv lrr
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I read Lois Duncan's books so yes.
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