Arrest In Katie Sepich Case Announced
LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) – Police say a 27-year-old man has confessed to the 2003 murder of New Mexico State University student, Katie Sepich.
Dona Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez announced the arrest today at a news conference in Las Cruces. Police say Gabriel Avila already is serving a nine-year prison sentence for an unrelated case of aggravated assault and burglary.
Sepich’s mother says the arrest of Avila is a “very fitting birthday present for our daughter.” Katie Sepich would have turned 26 on Tuesday.
Sepich had been sexually assaulted and strangled, and her partially burned body had been found at an old Las Cruces city dump.
The 22-year-old was last seen leaving a party on August 31, 2003.
As for the way the crime occured, Ms. Martinez saysKatiewas walking home and Mr. Avila followed her in his truck.
When Katie got home, she decided to go through her window because she didn’t want to wake her mom or room mate, that’s whenMr. Avila allegedlygrabbed her, raped and killed her.
