GREENBURGH, NY – A man sought for the murder of his former girlfriend in Philadelphia was apprehended by New York State Police troopers on Saturday after a months-long manhunt.
Authorities arrested Geovanni Otero, 29, in connection with the killing of Melody Rivera, whose body was unearthed from a shallow grave in a Philadelphia park. Rivera, 29, disappeared on Halloween night last year and was last seen on the north side of Philadelphia. Her disappearance was reported on Nov. 6, and her body was found barely a day later.
Otero emerged as a prime suspect shortly after Rivera’s disappearance. Investigators, with the aid of GPS tracking from a previous gun-related arrest, were able to piece together a narrative that reportedly places Otero at the scene of the crime. The evidence suggested that Rivera was severely beaten before being buried in the park near Verree Road.
A murder warrant for Otero was issued on Nov. 27 following an initial parole violation warrant. However, Otero managed to elude authorities until this past weekend. His capture came after two state troopers attempted to stop a stolen vehicle from Virginia in Greenburgh, north of New York City.
The driver, identified as Otero, initially halted but then sped away, initiating a brief chase that ended when he crashed the vehicle. He attempted to flee on foot but was quickly subdued and identified through fingerprint verification.
Otero is currently held in custody awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania, where he will face charges related to Rivera’s murder.
Rivera is remembered fondly by her family, leaving behind an 11-year-old daughter. Relatives spent numerous hours searching for her prior to the discovery of her body.
“She was more than a kind and loving person; she was always there for everyone,” her sister, Martha Lee Fred, said.
Fred, still grappling with the loss, vowed to pursue justice persistently. “I will not rest until justice is served for my sister,” she emphasized.