Police Arrest Boyfriend in Soho Murder

The police arrested the boyfriend of a woman found murdered in a Soho apartment. The victim, Denise Deperrie, was found by her roommate on Wednesday and police immediately suspected Juan Rios, her boyfriend who had slashed her with a samurai sword in July.

The Daily News reports that Rios had checked himself into a hospital yesterday, saying, "I did a bad thing." Deperrie and Rios met at a methadone clinic. According to Newsday, Rios attacked Deperrie with a samurai sword, slashing her legs and face, on July 30 when she told him to get an AIDS test; he also fractured her nose.

Rios had been in jail after the attack, but was released in August because Deperrie did not testify against him in time. Deperrie's mother believes her daughter was afraid. Ann Connor told Newsday she "begged her daughter to come hide out on Long Island" but Deperrie said, "Ma, I'm afraid he's going to come out to you." The Manhattan DA's office said, "If we can just get [victims] to come in, we can connect them to witness-aid services and social workers."

Residents in the Crosby Street apartment building say that they noticed a stench; police believe Deperrie was killed late last week. Her roommate Ronnie Laietta noticed the smell, but ended up cleaning the apartment in an attempt to freshen the apartment. When the smell persisted, Laietta, who is not a suspect, went into Deperrie's room and found her body. Police say that Deperrie was stabbed over 20 times.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on September 7, 2007 12:31 PM

Comments [rss]

Dee286

This is what happens when a woman erks a man. Never tell a man you are carrying somebody elses baby.

Dee286

The cops should of investigated all her past lovers. Who's to say it was the work of one man?

guest

I knew the victim very well when she was very young(late teens to early 20's).She was an incredibly gorgeous and smart young lady.Granted,I have not seen or spoken to her in more then 15 years.I am glad I got to know her because before she fell victim to drugs her and I shared memories I will cherish 4ever.It is sad she fell victim to drugs,something I was not aware until this incident(her murder).However,those of you with your cruel remarks remember one day this can be one of your love ones we are reading about.Rest in peace Dee Dee . . . From Baby.

Dee286

Amazing! All of a sudden you care? You NEVER introduced her to drugs? She never went back looking for you over the years? You know that's a lie!! So sad what she went through in life with the low lives she was involved with. Too bad she never got the chance to have that baby she was murdered over. According to the articles, the baby was not Juan Rios. Wonder who the father was??

Rocknrope

"I did a bad thing."

Did he say it like Lou Costello?

"I did a baaaaaaaaaaaaad thing!"

maevemealone

I seem to remember the initial reports said two small punctures on her chest. Interesting how it's ended up being a samurai sword slaughter... And as for the room mate, chances are he's a user too so he's doubtfully really on top of the situation...

Dee286

Funny how the room mate mysteriously ends up with two dead ppl. Also how conveniant that he cleaned up a murder scene and he has no clue what happened? Isint that what you do to hide evidence?

schadenfreudian mensch

Yes, seriously, but then they lived near Chinatown. They probably got the samurai sword along the way back home along with their methadone. Makes perfect sense to me.

JMH

You people are missing the point.

A samurai sword? Seriously?

guest

Deperrie and Rios met at a methadone clinic

Winners. Kill them all.

guest

EWWWW...for self destructing drugs

guest

Okay, the smell of a decaying body has a distinct smell. Why would he clean the apartment??? Wouldn't you try to find where the smell is coming from then go from there ?

Dee286

Most likely, this guy knew something and covered the tracks by cleaning the apt and making up this bull story. The NYPD is so dumb.

guest

The big news here is clearly that this is the SECOND dead roommate that Laietta has found in his apartment this year. This guy is serious bad luck.

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,295993,00.html

guest

surprise, surprise, surprise,

another low life winner with bravado.

They met at a methadone clinic, amazing the quality men one finds there. must be that bravado.