DNA cited in rape-murder arrest

ALBUQUERQUE -- A homeless man from southern New Mexico has been charged with the brutal rape and murder of the South Valley grandmother, the Bernalillo County Sheriff' Office announced today.

Investigators said a tip from another transient first identified Arturo Alvarado, 32, as a possible suspect in the May 2 death of Mary Ellen Padilla. But it was a DNA match between evidence at the crime scene and a state database that led to the arrest.

Alvarado was arrested this morning at a homeless shelter in Deming and allegedly confessed to the crime. Additional arrests are possible, investigators added.

“Mr. Alvarado was arrested, and during his arrest he was interviewed and there was statements during this interview that he did admit to this horrendous crime,” Bernalillo County Detective Larry Tafoya said.

Padilla, 70, was found raped and strangled near her Southwest Albuquerque apartment early on the morning of May 2 about an hour after family members reported her missing. Alvarado had been seen in the area earlier in the evening drinking and panhandling.

“He hurt my whole family,” Beatrice Padilla, the victim’s daughter, said. “He took my mother away from us, and I hope he gets what he deserves.”

Alvarado, whose criminal record includes domestic violence and tim in prison, now faces murder, kidnapping and rape charges. It was his imprisonment that led to collecting the DNA sample filed away in the state database.

As KRQE News 13 reported last week, communication problems between sheriff’s investigators and the Albuquerque Police Department crime lab allowed 35 days to elapse between Padilla’s murder and the lab receiving the DNA sample from the crime scene.