Manhattan prosecutors are seeking the extradition of Raad Almansoori from Arizona after he was indicted on charges of murder and robbery in the slaying of Denisse Oleas-Arancibia at the Soho 54 Hotel. The District Attorney announced the indictment and vowed to pursue justice for Oleas-Arancibia, who was found dead with a bloody iron next to her head. With the extradition request, they hope to bring Almansoori back to Manhattan to face charges related to the murder.
Raad Almansoori has been in custody in Arizona on charges of attempted murder, assault, and kidnapping after being arrested for carjacking and attacking women at a local McDonald’s. He was caught on surveillance footage leaving the Soho hotel where Oleas-Arancibia was killed, wearing the victim’s pink tights. Manhattan prosecutors are seeking to bring him back to face the murder charge, which they consider more serious than the charges he faces in Arizona.
A political dispute emerged between Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, who initially refused to trust Bragg to keep Almansoori in custody if extradited to New York. Mitchell later indicated that she would consider extraditing Almansoori after his pending cases in Arizona were resolved. Bragg accused Mitchell of playing political games and argued that the focus should be on the victims and their families rather than political grandstanding in a murder case.
Almansoori allegedly confessed to the killing in Arizona, describing how Oleas-Arancibia “just wouldn’t die” during the attack. Authorities revealed that Oleas-Arancibia, who worked as an escort, had booked a date with Almansoori that turned violent over a dispute about payment, leading to her strangling and brutal murder. Prosecutors described the violent details of the attack, including Almansoori’s attempts to break her neck, stomp on her head, and suffocate her with a sock.
The District Attorney reiterated his commitment to seeking justice for Oleas-Arancibia and expressed sympathy for her family and loved ones as they mourn her loss. Bragg emphasized his office’s dedication to building a strong case against Almansoori and ensuring that he faces the consequences of his alleged crimes. The extradition process will involve formal requests to New York Governor Kathy Hochul to issue a warrant for Almansoori’s return from Arizona to Manhattan for trial.
Despite the political tensions between prosecutors in Manhattan and Maricopa County, the focus remains on holding Almansoori accountable for the murder of Denisse Oleas-Arancibia. The extradition process will determine whether Almansoori faces trial in New York for murder and robbery charges related to the Soho hotel slaying. As the legal proceedings unfold, the memory of Oleas-Arancibia lingers as her family continues to grieve, and the pursuit of justice for her murder continues.
