NEW YORK (AP) – Detectives in Manhattan have made a breakthrough in a cold case that has puzzled law enforcement for nearly 36 years. The unidentified murder victim found in a Lower East Side city-run swimming pool in 1988 has been tentatively identified as Samuel Rivera, thanks to a mug shot taken during his previous arrest for assault in Florida.
With a name now attached to the victim, Detective John Hidalgo of the Cold Case unit expressed optimism about the ongoing investigation. Previously known as a John Doe with only a rough sketch to go by, having a name and face brings new hope for closure to the case that has long haunted the authorities.
Despite the identification, the task of identifying the killer remains challenging. Rivera, a 20-year-old Latino, was found stabbed in the heart at Hamilton Fish Park, commonly known as the Pitt St. pool. Law enforcement believes that Rivera might have moved to New York City from Florida, where he was known by the nickname “Cuba.”
Detective Hidalgo has been diligently working on the case since his assignment last year, utilizing advanced forensic techniques and databases unavailable at the time of the murder. Through fingerprints, Rivera’s connections to Miami Beach and his troubled past started emerging, shedding light on a potential motive for his untimely death.
The investigation timeline suggests that Rivera may have been involved in a confrontation involving up to eight individuals on the night of his murder. Speculations about connections to drugs or local gangs have been explored, but no concrete evidence has been found thus far. The intense scrutiny of the case has led to hopes that new leads will come forward, bringing justice to the victim and closure to his family.
Efforts are ongoing to locate potential DNA evidence from clothing or other materials found at the crime scene. With renewed interest sparked by the recent breakthrough, Detective Hidalgo remains committed to finding the truth behind Rivera’s murder, hopeful that someone with vital information will step forward and help solve this long-standing mystery.