Johnny Joe Avalos, known as the San Antonio Strangler, was an American serial killer who operated in San Antonio, Texas, between 2012 and 2015. His gruesome crimes involved raping and fatally strangling several women and a teenage girl. Here are the chilling details of his crimes:
Vanessa Lopez: Avalos murdered his first known victim, 25-year-old Vanessa Lopez, in early October 2012. He strangled her and dumped her body in the San Antonio River. At the time, rumors circulated about a serial killer, but the police chief denied any evidence supporting that possibility.
Natalie Chavez: On December 18, 2014, Avalos raped and fatally strangled 15-year-old Natalie Chavez. Her naked body was found under the Vera Cruz Street bridge over Apache Creek on San Antonio’s West Side. DNA evidence eventually linked Avalos to the crime.
Rosemary Perez: Around January 10, 2015, Avalos strangled 28-year-old Rosemary Perez to death. Her body showed signs of a struggle, and investigators ruled her death a homicide.
Avalos’ modus operandi involved stalking women, often sex workers, after finishing his shift as a dishwasher. He claimed that at least 20 intended victims escaped before he could murder them, although no evidence corroborated those claims. In April 2015, he was arrested based on DNA evidence and later pleaded guilty to the crimes, receiving two concurrent life sentences without parole. His reign of terror left a lasting impact on the community, and his case remains a haunting chapter in San Antonio’s history.
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