The U.S. Marshals Service is searching Wednesday for a “lifelong criminal” accused of killing his ex-girlfriend and burying her in a shallow grave in Philadelphia.
A total of $25,000 is being offered for information leading to the arrest of Giovanni Otero, 29, after Melody Rivera's body was found in Philadelphia's Fox Chase neighborhood last month. There is. Deputy U.S. Marshal Robert Clark told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that Rivera's death has been ruled a violent homicide.
Mr Clark said: “Our Fugitive Task Force was created to find people just like Giovanni Otero – someone with a significant criminal history. He has been a lifelong criminal since he was 12 years old.” he said.
“My best advice for him is to turn himself in or he will end up facing members of the Marshals Task Force wherever they are,” Clark added. “He is a dangerous person and needs to be removed from society.”
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Giovanni Otella (left) and his ex-girlfriend Melody Rivera, who was charged with murder. (U.S. Marshals Service/Martha Lee Fred/Fox29 Philadelphia)
The motive for the killing is unknown, but police said Otero had been involved in an argument with Rivera before his disappearance on October 31st. According to WPVI.
Citing records and police information, the department said Otero had recently been released from state prison for firearms offenses and lost contact with parole officials after Rivera's death.
Philadelphia Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment Wednesday.
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The U.S. Marshals Service released an image of the tattoo found on Oterra's arm. (U.S. Marshals Service)
Rivera's family said: Fox29 Philadelphia She leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter, whom she described as funny, loving and kind.
“We spent hours every day looking for our sister,” family member Martha Lee Fred told police. “She didn't deserve to be buried in a park. She didn't deserve it.”
Otero, who goes by the alias “Gozer,” is described as 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 175 pounds, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
“He has black hair, brown eyes, tattoos covering the tops of his hands and a dagger tattoo behind his left ear,” it added. “His last address was in the 5800 block of North Park Avenue in Philadelphia.”
Melody Rivera, whose body was found in Philadelphia on November 7th, leaves behind an 11-year-old daughter, her family told Fox29 Philadelphia. (Martha Lee Fred/Fox29 Philadelphia)
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The sheriff's office also said, “The U.S. Marshals Service Violent Criminal Fugitive Task Force was the lead investigative agency tasked with arresting Otero on murder charges and a state parole warrant.”
