Arrest Made in 2002 Killing as Riverside County Investigators Reopen Long-Dormant Case | Crime Alert 04.03.2026

Summary

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace

Episode Title: Arrest Made in 2002 Killing as Riverside County Investigators Reopen Long-Dormant Case
Date: April 3, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode spotlights the breakthrough arrest in the 20-year-old unsolved killing of Hernan Marquez in Riverside County, California. Nancy Grace and her team detail how advances in forensic technology led to the identification and arrest of the suspected killer, Alex Anthony Uribe, finally giving hope for justice to Marquez’s family. The episode also covers major crime alerts, including sentencing in a deadly Alabama mass shooting, a suspicious inmate death in New York, and a breaking kidnapping case involving an American journalist in Iraq.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Breakthrough in 2002 Riverside County Homicide

(00:01 – 01:40)

• Summary of the Case

  • Hernan Marquez, 27, was found fatally shot inside his vehicle in August 2002 in La Quinta, California.
  • Responding deputies initially believed it was a car crash but discovered Marquez had multiple gunshot wounds.
  • Marquez had attended a house party just before the shooting. An altercation is believed to have occurred, and Marquez was shot while leaving the scene. Despite his injuries, he drove away before crashing.
  • The case remained unsolved for over two decades.

• New Developments

  • Due to renewed investigative efforts and "advances in forensic technology," a suspect, Alex Anthony Uribe (now 46), has been arrested.
  • Investigators now consider Uribe the sole suspect, though they are following up on "additional leads."
  • The case remains active, and authorities are urging anyone with more information to come forward.
  • Marquez’s family regards this as a "long awaited step toward closure."

• Quote & Notable Moment

  • “Now, after a renewed investigation and advances in forensic technology, authorities say they have identified a suspect. Alex Anthony Uribe...has been arrested in connection with the killing...” — John Laemmle [00:45]

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2. Crime Alerts: National and International Updates

(02:57 – 06:03)

a. Sentences in Dadeville, Alabama Mass Shooting

• Five defendants sentenced for involvement in the 2023 Sweet 16 birthday party shooting that left 4 dead and over 30 injured.

• The party was held at a dance studio, and victims were mostly young adults and high school seniors.

• Defendants received 5 years in prison and probation under plea agreements, a result that’s angered some victims’ families.

• Prosecutors cited case complexity and difficulties in pinpointing who initiated gunfire when defending the agreements.

• Quote & Notable Moment:

  • “The outcome has drawn criticism from some victims' families who say the sentences do not reflect the scale of the violence or the loss suffered that night.” — John Laemmle [03:53]

b. New York Correctional Facility Manslaughter Case

• Manslaughter charges filed in the death of inmate Jonah Levy, who died in custody.

• Levy’s death is suspected to involve criminal actions, not accident.

• Authorities have not released full details, but the case may prompt greater oversight of the facility.

• Quote:

  • “Investigators allege his death was not simply accidental but the result of actions that rose to criminal level.” — John Laemmle [04:45]

c. Kidnapping of American Journalist in Iraq

• Shelly Kittleson, a 49-year-old freelance reporter, was abducted in Baghdad by armed men.

• At least one suspect arrested, but Kittleson remains missing.

• She had previously been warned about risks due to militia activity in the region.

• U.S. and Iraqi authorities are still searching for her.

• Quote:

  • “She was taken by armed men at a busy intersection and forced into a vehicle...Authorities say one suspect has been arrested after a vehicle believed to be connected to the kidnapping crashed during a pursuit. However, Kittleson was not inside and other suspects remain at large.” — John Laemmle [05:32]

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3. Host Engagement and Call to Action

(06:03 – 06:21)

• Nancy Grace reinforces the podcast’s ongoing mission:
  • Focus on missing persons, especially children
  • Persistent pursuit of unsolved homicide investigations.
  • “Thanks, John. For the latest crime and justice news, go to crimeonline.com and please join us for our daily podcast Crime Stories, where we do our best to find missing people, especially children, and solve unsolved homicides.” — Nancy Grace [06:03]

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Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Now, after a renewed investigation and advances in forensic technology, authorities say they have identified a suspect. Alex Anthony Uribe...has been arrested in connection with the killing...” — John Laemmle [00:45]
• “The outcome has drawn criticism from some victims' families who say the sentences do not reflect the scale of the violence or the loss suffered that night.” — John Laemmle [03:53]
• “Investigators allege his death was not simply accidental but the result of actions that rose to criminal level.” — John Laemmle [04:45]
• “She was taken by armed men at a busy intersection and forced into a vehicle...Authorities say one suspect has been arrested after a vehicle believed to be connected to the kidnapping crashed during a pursuit. However, Kittleson was not inside and other suspects remain at large.” — John Laemmle [05:32]
• “We do our best to find missing people, especially children, and solve unsolved homicides.” — Nancy Grace [06:05]

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Key Timestamps

• 00:01 – 01:40: Riverside County cold case breakthrough and suspect arrest
• 02:57 – 06:03: National crime updates (Alabama shooting, NY inmate death, Iraq journalist kidnapping)
• 06:03 – 06:21: Host wrap-up and call to action

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Tone and Style

The episode maintains a serious, urgent tone in discussing justice and the pain of long-term unresolved cases. There’s empathy for victims’ families and a sense of persistent advocacy for investigative progress.

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Summary Takeaways

• After 20 years, new forensic methods have led to an arrest in a Riverside County cold case — providing hope for closure.
• The episode highlights the complexities of achieving justice, as seen in plea agreements in mass shootings and accountability in correctional facility deaths.
• International risks for journalists are underscored, with a plea for awareness around abductions and current global danger zones.

Crime Stories with Nancy Grace continues its mission to illuminate the human impact behind unsolved cases and to encourage listeners to participate in the broader pursuit of justice.

Transcript

[A]

Crime Alert I'm John Laemmle. We begin the hour with a major break in a decades old homicide case in Southern California where investigators say new evidence has led to an arrest after more than 20 years and they're now urging anyone with information to come forward as they continue working to bring closure. The case centers on hernan Marquez, a 27 year old man who was found fatally shot in August of 2002. Authorities say deputies were responded to what initially appeared to be a crash in La Quinta, but when they arrived they found Marquez inside his vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives later determined Marquez had been to a house party shortly before the shooting. Investigators believe an altercation broke out and that Marquez was shot as he was leaving. Despite his injuries, he managed to drive away but lost control of the car and crashed into parked vehicles. For years the case went unsolved. Now, after a renewed investigation and advances in forensic technology, authorities say they have identified a suspect. Alex Anthony Uribe, now 46 years old, has been arrested in connection with the killing and investigators believe he may be the sole suspect. Officials say the case remains active and they are continuing to follow up on additional leads. For Marquez's family, the development represents a long awaited step toward in a case that has remained unresolved for more than two decades.

[B]

Thanks John. For the latest crime and justice news go to crimeonline.com and please join us for our daily podcast Crime Stories. More crime and justice news after this.

[C]

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[B]

the latest Crime and Justice breaking news

[A]

Crime Online's John Laemmle In Alabama, there are new developments and a mass shooting that stunned a small community and left lasting scars, an attack that remains one of the deadliest in the area's recent history, with its impact still being felt. Five defendants have now been sentenced in connection with the 2023 shooting at a Sweet 16 birthday party in Dadeville. The attack left four people dead and more than 30 others injured. Investigators say multiple gunmen opened fire during the celebration, which was being held at a dance studio. The victims ranged in age from 17 to 23, including high school seniors and young adults. Under plea agreements, the five defendants receive sentences of five years in prison followed by probation. The outcome has drawn criticism from some victims families who say the sentences do not reflect the scale of the violence or the loss suffered that night. Prosecutors have defended the agreements, citing the complexity of the case and challenges in determining how the gunfire began. In New York, a death inside a correctional facility is now the focus of a criminal case, with officials saying the investigation remains ongoing and additional details may be released as court proceedings continue. Prosecutors have filed manslaughter charges in connection with the death of inmate Jonah Levy. Authorities say Levy died while in custody and investigators allege his death was not simply accidental but the result of actions that rose to criminal level. While officials have not released all details publicly, the charges suggest prosecutors believe there was a significant failure in the duty of care owed to Levy while he was behind bars. The case is now moving forward in the legal system and could bring increased scrutiny to conditions and oversight within the facility. And finally this hour, concern is growing over an American journalist kidnapped overseas where her whereabouts remain unknown as officials continue an international effort to secure her safe return. Shelly Kittleson, a 49 year old freelance reporter, was abducted in Baghdad earlier this week. Iraqi officials say she was taken by armed men at a busy intersection and forced into a vehicle. Security forces quickly launched a search. Authorities say one suspect has been arrested after a vehicle believed to be connected to the kidnapping crashed during a pursuit. However, Kittleson was not inside and other suspects remain at large. U.S. officials say Kittleson had previously been warned about potential threats, including risks linked to Iran backed militia groups operating in the region. She's an experienced journalist who has spent years reporting from Iraq and Syria, often working independently in high risk environments.

[B]

Thanks John. For the latest crime and justice news, go to crimeonline.com and please join us for our daily podcast Crime Stories, where we do our best to find missing people, especially children, and solve unsolved homicides with this crime alert. I'm Nancy Grace

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