Arrest Made In 1991 Murder Of Patricia Moreno In Malden
MALDEN (CBS) - An arrest has been made in the 1991 murder of 17-year-old Patricia Moreno in Malden. Police arrested 48-year-old Rodney Daniels in Georgia on Monday.
The shooting happened on July 20, 1991 at a three-floor apartment building on Henry Street. The 17-year-old was found with a single gunshot wound to her head.
"This investigation took many twists and turns over 30 years," Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said Wednesday.
Ryan announced the arrest thanks in part to a new witness. "He provided a physical description of the individual who he saw out on that fire escape," Ryan said.
Home at the time of the shooting was Patricia's foster mother, foster sisters, and Rodney Daniels, who was dating one of the sisters at the time.
"They claimed that they had heard a pair of gunshots but had no information as to the identity of the shooter," Ryan said.
It was that new witness testimony coupled with information police had about the suspect. He had multiple guns around the time of the murder and even threatened the victim weeks before her death.
This is the first case solved by the Middlesex DA's recently formed cold case unit.
"This case is indicative of the commitment this office has made that when someone loses a loved one to a homicide, we will not give up," Ryan said.
Malden Police say it's a bittersweet day but sends a message to families of victims and to suspects. "If there is somebody out there who has committed crimes, let the message be told, we don't forget," said Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis.
Daniels is being brought back to Massachusetts to be arraigned on first-degree murder charges Thursday.
