Crime

Man sought for double stabbing in Worcester killed wife in 2004

William Rodriguez was allegedly dating one of the women killed Saturday and sent her a video message earlier that day referencing infidelity.

August 27, 2024

2 minutes to read

A Worcester man sought by police in connection with the stabbing deaths of two women Saturday previously served time in prison for killing his estranged wife in 2004.

Worcester police named William Rodriguez, 59, a person of interest in the latest homicide investigation after officers responded to a 911 call and found two women dead with “multiple puncture wounds” in an apartment on Main Street.

The Worcester County District Attorney’s Office confirmed Rodriguez previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 2007 for stabbing his wife to death. Prosecutors alleged Rodriguez was motivated by the couple’s failing marriage and his inability to deal with the prospect of being separated from his children, the Telegram & Gazette reported at the time.

Previously:

Man wanted for murder of two women in Worcester, police say

He was sentenced to 15 to 20 years in prison and was released on parole on June 7, 2019, the DA’s office confirmed.

Rodriguez is now wanted on felony charges of armed assault with intent to murder and armed assault with intent to murder a person over the age of 60.

Authorities have not publicly named the victims. However, NBC10 Boston spoke with family members who identified the women as mother and daughter Sergia Acosta, 76, and Ana Maria Martinez, 58. According to a statement of facts filed in Worcester District Court, Rodriguez had been dating the younger woman, but the couple had been arguing.

Rodriguez allegedly sent Martinez a video message earlier in the day that referenced her “cheating” on him. According to the court document, a note found in Rodriguez’s apartment said, in Spanish, “Women who make mistakes will receive what is coming.”

Before the 911 callers arrived and found the two women dead, Rodriguez was allegedly the last person seen on surveillance video entering or exiting the apartment where the bodies were found.

According to the statement of facts, Worcester police received a call requesting a well-being check on Rodriguez Saturday afternoon, just minutes before the 911 call about the bodies. The callers who requested the check told police that Rodriguez had dropped his car and keys off at one of the caller’s homes and left on foot.

“Rodriguez is a clear flight risk, and a strong possibility of a future commission of a crime with bodily injury,” authorities alleged in the court document, citing a criminal history stretching back more than two decades.

Rodriguez should be considered armed and dangerous, the Worcester Police Department said in its bulletin Sunday. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact detectives at 508-799-8651. Community members can also submit anonymous tips through the department’s website, or by texting 274637 with the keyword “TIPWPD,” followed by a message.