Edhat Staff
Update by the edhat staff
August 9, 2024
After decades of investigation and the cold hand of time weighing heavily on unsolved cases, Ventura County authorities announced a significant breakthrough in a series of gruesome murders dating back nearly 50 years.
A 73-year-old man, Warren Luther Alexander, has been identified and charged as the suspect in the 1977 strangulation deaths of three women, thanks to modern DNA technology and collaborative efforts among law enforcement agencies.
This groundbreaking development came as Alexander was extradited from North Carolina, where he faces charges in a separate 1992 cold case killing. He is now being held in Ventura County Jail without the possibility of bail, awaiting trial for three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Kimberly Carol Fritz, 18, Velvet Ann Sanchez, 31, and Lorraine Ann Rodriguez, 21. The three were found strangled in Ventura County in a series of killings that left detectives puzzled for decades.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko emphasized the significance of these advancements in a press conference on Thursday, stating, “This is an ongoing investigation, and we will continue to pursue all leads that become available. This is not in any way closed.” Nasarenko also suggested the likelihood of additional victims beyond these cases, hinting at a more extensive series of crimes potentially spanning multiple states.
Alexander, who had worked variously as a cab and long-haul truck driver, lived intermittently in Oxnard during the periods the crimes were committed. The utilization of a national DNA database connected Alexander to the Ventura County murders after his DNA was matched to evidence from the 1992 North Carolina case involving 29-year-old Nona Cobb, another strangulation victim.
The Ventura County cold case unit, along with Oxnard and Port Hueneme Police Departments, never ceased their efforts to solve these murders, despite the considerable challenges faced over the years. Their determination was fueled by memories of the victims, who were remembered by their families and community as loving and devoted individuals.
Alexander, awaiting his arraignment, represents a significant step forward in law enforcement’s ability to bring long-sought justice for the victims and their families. As DA Nasarenko poignantly noted, “These murders may have occurred 47 years ago, but the investigators … never gave up seeking justice for these three victims, their loved ones, and their families. Just because a case has gone cold does not mean it should ever be forgotten.”
Suspected Serial Killer Charged with 1977 Murders in Ventura County
News Conference Scheduled for Thursday, August 8, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.
By the edhat staff
August 7, 2024
Investigators from the Ventura County Cold Case Unit have arrested Warren Luther Alexander, 73 of Diamondhead, Mississippi; on three counts of murder, related to a series of strangulation murders that occurred in 1977.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office filed three counts of first-degree murder against Alexander. He was extradited to California and arrived on August 6, 2024, from Surry County, North Carolina, where he is awaiting prosecution for a 1992 cold case murder committed in that jurisdiction.
Alexander’s first appearance in Ventura County Superior Court was Wednesday morning. The arraignment was continued to August 21, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 11. He is being held in Ventura County Jail without bail.
In February 2023, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Cold Case Unit began re-examining the 1977 murders of Kimberly Carol Fritz, Velvet Ann Sanchez, and Lorraine Ann Rodriguez.
In all three cases, an autopsy revealed the cause of death was strangulation. DNA evidence was collected from the crime scenes and the victims.
This was an investigation between the Ventura County Sheriff’s Cold Case Unit, Oxnard Police Department, and Port Hueneme Police Department. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Cold Case Unit is comprised of detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Bureau and investigators from the District Attorney’s Office, who collectively review and investigate unsolved homicide cases.
A joint news conference with District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, Sheriff Jim Fryhoff, Oxnard Police Chief Jason Benites, and Port Hueneme Police Chief Michael Federico will be held on Thursday morning.
More information will be updated to this article following the press conference.
This guy was a long haul trucker- Makes you wonder how many other unsolved strangulations occured across the country….
it’s sad they catch these elderly guys that may not mind being taken care of in jail but important for the families for sure
Hard to believe someone wouldn’t shank this evil pos in the joint.
“In the joint.” So funny.
Among BI’s Baron Munchausen-type storied adventures is probably a stint there to pick up the lingo.
They first identified him via dna genealogy in 2022 for a different case.