Northwest Baltimore— Elias Alvarado was convicted of murdering two women within a week’s time. He was convicted by a Baltimore City jury of the first degree murder of Annquinette Dates and Ranarda Williams.
On September 2, 2016 at 10:33 a.m., officers responded to the 3700 block of Bancroft Road for a call regarding someone finding a dead body under their neighbor’s deck. Upon arrival to the area, officers spoke with the 911 caller who reported hearing a woman scream around 3:00 a.m. At the time, the caller was unable to see anyone and went back to sleep. Once the caller awoke, they went outside and discovered the partially clothed body of Annquinette Dates.
The Medical Examiner’s Office (OCME) determined Dates had been strangled and ruled the manner of her death as a homicide. Detectives began their investigation which included locating camera footage showing the victim with a Hispanic male shortly before her murder.
Six days later on September 8, 2016 at approximately 3:50 a.m., officers responded to the 3900 block of Dolfield Avenue for a call regarding a fight between a man and a woman. Upon arrival to the area, officers turned off their headlights and drove down the rear alley. Police observed Alvarado getting up from the victim— Ranarda Williams. Williams was lying face down and naked from the waist down. As Alvarado observed the officers, he began to flee the scene but was captured. Williams was transported to the OCME, where it was determined that she had been strangled and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.
After being advised of his Miranda Rights, Alvarado provided a statement initially indicating that he did not know Ms. Williams; however, when confronted, he indicated that he had sex with her. A SAFE Kit was completed on Alvardo, through which it was noted that he had multiple recent scratches on his body. DNA samples were taken from Williams, which revealed that Alvarado’s DNA was on Williams’ body and under her fingernails. Alvarado’s DNA was also found under Dates’ fingernails and around her neck.
Alvarado provided a statement identifying himself with Dates in a still shot taken from camera footage from the night of her murder.
“I am grateful for the diligent and collaborative work of both the prosecutor and the detectives assigned to this case; however, the ultimate lynch pin in securing this conviction was the vigilance of the community, and now an extremely vicious man will likely spend the rest of life behind bars never to victimize another again,” said State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby.
Alvarado faces life in prison for his crimes. He is scheduled for sentencing on September 20, 2017.
