Fingerprints connect deceased crime spree offender to Massage Spa Murder
Fingerprints connect deceased crime spree offender to Massage Spa Murder
Tuesday, 3/8/22
ALBUQUERQUE – APD homicide detectives announced today that fingerprint evidence connects Raphael Marquez to the Feb. 15, 2022, murder at the Canna Spa Massage. Detectives determined Marquez, who was killed following a police pursuit on Feb. 25, was responsible for the fatal shooting of a female employee at the Canna Spa.
Marquez was killed near Belen on Feb. 25, following a pursuit along I-25. Officers shot Marquez after his vehicle rolled over. APD detective had filed multiple criminal charges against Marquez that same night accusing him of engaging in a violent crime spree in Albuquerque on Feb. 20-21.
Homicide detectives were looking into information that Marquez may have been responsible for the Feb. 15 murder at Canna Spa. A member of the public told detectives that Marquez admitted he killed the employee at the spa. Officers later found the black pickup shown in surveillance video with the suspect leaving the murder scene. Fingerprints found at the spa, as well as fingerprints from the truck returned as a match to Marquez.
“All of those factors allowed investigators to conclude Marquez was responsible for the cold-blooded murder at the spa,” APD Chief Harold Medina said. “We held out hope that we could come to this conclusion, based on solid evidence, so we could help ease fears among the Asian-American community. We still have work to do to put a stop to these brazen robberies. But the people responsible for both recent murders as massage businesses are no longer on Albuquerque’s streets.”
Marquez is also a person of interest in a homicide APD is investigating from Dec. 24, 2021. Evidence connects Marquez to that homicide.
Marquez Timeline:
Dec. 24, 2021: Marquez is considered by APD detectives to be a person of interest in the murder of 32-year-old David Brown.
Feb. 15, 2022: Marquez is accused of fatally shooting a female employee at the Canna Spa, located at 475 Coors Blvd N.W.
Feb. 20-21, 2022: Marquez was charged for breaking into a business, forcing himself into three homes, stealing homeowners’ vehicles, kidnapping three people and shooting at bystanders, a family with young children and two women who tried to get away from him.
Marquez also had several warrants for his arrest related to an incident on Sept. 6, 2021, in which he stole a purse with $3,000 in cash and $2,500 in property. Marquez resisted arrest and assaulted officers when they attempted to apprehend him.
APD detectives also charged Marquez for two home burglaries on Dec. 22 and Dec. 30, 2021. He had warrants pending for those crimes, as well as the September 2021 incident, when he committed the crime spree last month.
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