Suspected murder manhunt takes to airwaves

Prosecutors believe Erick Morales fatally stabbed his one-time friend Quetzalcoatl Alba seven years ago while they and a third acquaintance cut high school in Daly City— the only problem is Morales, no longer a 16-year-old teenager, is nowhere to be found.

The hunt for Morales, now 23, may get a jump start Saturday night when America’s Most Wanted, the Fox television program aimed at nabbing suspected criminals, features the case and asks viewers for help.

The case of Alba’s murder is already featured on the show’s Web site, complete with case summary, a photo of Morales — also known as "Pajaro” — as he appeared in the late 1990s, and assumptions from investigators that without a high school degree he could be working as a laborer of some sort.

Authorities have good reason to believe Morales was at least involved in Alba’s death — the teenager was photographed standing over the body of the 15-year-old boy known as "Quetzal.” That photo, coupled with a tip from Florida, led to the arrest of alleged accomplice Reynaldo Maldanado and re-opened a case grown cold.

The District Attorney’s Office thinks Morales’ apprehension not only gives them the chance to try him for Alba’s murder but could bolster their case against Maldanado. While investigators aren’t slowing their own search, they say the show is another welcome tool.

"It is really helpful to have a platform to assist us in alerting the public that he is out there,” said prosecutor Al Giannini. "All we need is one call from a concerned citizen, and we can accomplish what thousands of hours of police investigation might not accomplish.”

Until Morales is found, Maldanado’s defense attorney Paul DeMeester appears ready to pin Alba’s death on the missing man.

The lack of a co-defendant, though, isn’t stalling Maldanado’s prosecution. The 28-year-old man is scheduled for trial Aug. 18 although DeMeester is having him evaluated for past brain trauma that he said may impact issues like an intent to kill and premeditation.

Alba’s body was discovered May 21, 2001 in the storage room of the Westlake Apartments in Daly City. The two men were suspects but disappeared. The case grew cold until October when Florida resident Mario Cajina contacted police to report Maldanado allegedly confessing the killing and showing him a photo taken at the scene. Maldanado reportedly said he held Alba while Morales stabbed him multiple times.

He also said Maldanado claimed the bloody clothes and knife used in the murder were buried in Morales’ backyard. Authorities did locate the items and extradited Maldanado from Florida. After arriving at San Francisco International Airport, he jumped 25 feet from a railing in a failed escape attempt and needed surgery for serious injuries.

If convicted of murder and the special allegation of lying in wait, Maldanado faces life in prison without parole. District Attorney Jim Fox opted against seeking the death penalty.

Prosecutors initially charged him with being an accessory to the crime but dropped the count because the statute of limitations ran its course. The prosecution also didn’t charge Maldanado for his alleged escape attempt.

He remains in custody on no-bail status while Morales remains at large. Authorities believe he is still in the United States and possibly using an alias such as Erick Romeo Morales-Luna, Erick R. Luna, Erick Morales-Luna or Erick R. Morales. Morales is 5 feet 8 inches tall, approximately 160 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. He is Hispanic and may be in a Guatemalan community.

Morales is not the first San Mateo County suspect to warrant airtime on America’s Most Wanted. The show also profiled former Village People singer Victor Willis after he jumped bail on charges from drug and gun possession in both Daly City and South San Francisco and probation violations.

The episode of America’s Most Wanted: America Fights back airs 9 p.m. Saturday, March 29 on Fox. Their confidential tip hotline is 1-800-CRIME-TV.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102.