Convicted murderer who fled U.S. and eluded capture for 31 years to be sentenced

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — A man who fled the country and eluded capture for more than 30 years after an Attleboro murder will be sentenced today in Fall River Superior Court.

Mario Garcia was convicted of first-degree murder on November 7, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s office.

Garcia fatally stabbed 28-year-old Ismael Garcia on November 16, 1991 at the corner of Bank and Dean Streets.

Garcia was stabbed once in the chest and died shortly after police arrived at the scene.

A butcher’s knife determined to be the murder weapon was found near the crime scene the following morning.

19-year-old Mario Garcia was identified as the suspect by multiple witnesses, and an arrest warrant was obtained.

Garcia had already fled the United States by the time police secured the warrant.

An extensive investigation by Massachusetts State Police determined that Garcia had fled to his home country of Guatemala.

In December of 2022, he was arrested on a shrimp farm and extradited to the U.S. to stand trial in the murder.