5 chilling details about Alberto Martino 's murder 

Alberto Martino was a known DJ who worked at the WIBF radio station in Philadelphia. He was a popular name among the Latino community in Philadelphia and used to host regular salsa shows. However, his life came to a tragic end on the night of September 6, 1989.

It was the time when he was returning home from the station that his car stopped in the middle of Old York Road. He came outside of the car to open the hood and look for any malfunctions but was attacked from the back and shot dead. The brutal murder of Alberto Martino shook the entire community, with his fans grieving his unexpected demise.

Philly Homicide season 1, episode 6, titled When the Music Died, covers the entire investigation behind the murder of Alberto Martino. The episode is set to air on Oxygen on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 9 pm EST.

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5 key details about the murder of Alberto Martino

1) Alberto Martino's car was vandalized on purpose

Alberto Martino's car was wrecked on purpose (Image via Chris F/ Pexels)

On the night of his murder, Martino arrived at the WIBF radion station in a car that was completely in working condition. The murderers already had a plan to make Martino's car malfunction, to make the fish fall into the trap. Martino started his car and crossed Old York Road when it started working suddenly.

Martino initially thought it to be a minor disrupture and came outside to fix the car. The assassins were waiting for this chance, and this is when he was attacked.

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2) Alberto Martino was killed by his girlfriend's brother and cousin

Alberto Martino 's body was found near his car (Image via cottonbro studio/ Pexels)

Alberto had a girlfriend named Lydia Alvarez, who had a sibling named Robert Alvarez, and a cousin named Miguel Alvarez. It was when Alberto Martino, was trying to fix the car opening its hood when Miguel attacked Martino from the back with a rod. Lydia's own sibling, Roberto, then took out a gun and shot Martino from the back, which killed him.

The authorities soon caught both of the culprits, but when they revealed the purpose of their crime, the case took a more grim turn.

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3) Miguel Alvarez used to send blood-stained letters to his cousin Lydia

Miguel had feelings for his cousin Lydia (Image via Pexels)

Upon interrogation, it was revealed that before Martino's death, his girlfriend Lydia was receiving anonymous letters written with blood, threatening her to leave Martino. After getting deeper into the investigation, it was found that Miguel harbored strong feelings for his cousin Lydia, however upon her rejection, it turned into rage.

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4) Roberto and Miguel Alvarez confessed guilty to their crimes

Roberto and Miguel confessed guilty of their crimes (Image via Katrin Bolovtsova/ Pexels)

When Martino's forensic reports arrived, it proved Lydia's brother and cousin were the perpetrators. Miguel's fingerprints were received from the anonymous blood-stained letters sent to Lydia. Additionally, one of the store clerks had seen Robert and Miguek looming around Martino's workstation.

Considering Lydia's past relationship with the family, the purpose of their actions could be easily comprehended. Eventually, the accused confessed to being connected to plotting, threatening, and murder.

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5) Roberto and Miguel Alvarez were sent to a lifetime in prison

Roberto and Miguel were sentenced to lifetime imprisonment (Image via Pexels)

Both Roberto and Miguel were found guilty of being responsible for the first-degree murder of Alberto Miguel. Both of the culprits received lifetime incarceration without any chance of parole. Both the cousin brothers were separated and kept in different correctional facilities in Pennsylvania.

Miguel is currently incarcerated in Laurel Highlands Correctional Institution, while Roberto serves his sentence at the Mercer Correctional Institution.

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