Bike Path Rapist sends chilling letter

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Altemio Sanchez was called the "Bike Path Rapist" for a series of attacks over decades in western New York. Now he is trying to tell his story from behind prison walls.

It's been nearly five years since his capture, so News 4's George Richert sent a letter to Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York, asking Altemio Sanchez for an interview. He responded within a few days saying that he has declined all interviews, but then he wrote this, "As for prison, we prisoners are considered scums of the Earth. That's what the world calls us. That's the way people think. You see Mr. Richert, we are not perfect, not one, we all have a dark side hidden inside all of us. Don't you think so Mr. Richert? Don't we lie every chance we get and when we do we store it deep inside, which is our dark side?"

NYS Police Capt. Steve Nigrelli said, "If you read this letter, and your viewers look at it, I question: Do all of us have a dark side in us, a dark side that leads us to murder and rape of women over such large period of time? Mr. Sanchez, this isn't true. These may be your words, but they don't reflect society."

Capt. Nigrelli and Erie County Sheriff's Chief Scott Patronik headed up the task force that finally caught the Bike Path Rapist after 25 years. He's been linked by DNA to nearly 20 rapes, and three murders. Two of the murders were were on the same date, September 29th.

"That's in the make up of a serial murderer. They're ritualistic. They believe in anniversaries; they return to the scene of the crime," said Capt. Nigrelli.

>> You can read the letter sent by Altemio Sanchez to News 4's George Richert right here

But the anniversary of Joan Diver's death on a Clarence bike path is something her husband tries not to observe. Steven Diver say September 29th to him "is a black cold day. Over the years, it has been a challenge to prepare for the sorrow and sadness of this time of year. The loss of Joan is intensified in early fall and it creates a string sorrow. It begins when the sunlight changes to lower angle of incidence and lasts until the trees lose their fall colors."

Clarence resident Mary Wieszala said, "I'm still very nervous about coming down here."

Wieszala used to run the bike path a few times a week, but has avoided it for five years. Just a few weeks ago, she got up the courage to start biking it again.

"I think of him every time I come down the path. I can't help but think about what he's done, and Joan Diver's family," Wieszala.

Chief Patronik said, "It seems now I think the families for the most part are trying not to think about it, to not just constantly relive what happened to their loved ones."

And even the killer seems unwilling to relive it, writing, "Why, Mr. Richert, would anybody want to hear my story? There's too much pain and suffering on both sides. We need to move on with our lives. The pain will always be there, we need to grow stronger and stronger and have faith in God to lead us in a happier life, to live in peace and love with one another."

Does Capt. Nigrelli think he's sorry? "Not at all. "Whatever gets him through the night in his cell is what he's saying here. It's his inner excuse for what he's done, and it's a cop out," said Capt. Nigrelli.