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Alberto Martino, a popular DJ from Philadelphia was found dead in the middle of the street in Philadelphia on September 6, 1989. His car had stalled near an open lot behind the Benjamin Fox Pavilion on Old York Road, where the 54-year-old had been beaten to death.
While his death initially seemed like a random act of violence, as the investigation unfolded, police discovered that it was a premeditated crime. Alberto Martinez was killed by his girlfriend, Lydia Alvarez's brother, Roberto Alvarez, and her cousin, Miguel Alvarez.
When Alberto's car stalled, he stepped out to check if there was any malfunction in the engine, two people snuck up on him and attacked him before fatally shooting him. The two men, Roberto and Miguel were later convicted of first-degree murder.
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The case was the focus of Oxygen's Philly Homicide episode 6, which was released on December 7, 2024, at 9 pm ET/PT on Oxygen True Crime. The episode titled Philly Homicide revealed the reasons behind Alberto Martino's death and how his killers were convicted.
The discovery of Alberto Martino's body
A minister who was on his way to work on September 6, 1989, spotted Alberto Martino's body. The DJ was lying in a pool of blood beside his car with the hood up and the keys still in the ignition.
Investigators found signs of blunt force trauma to his head and a gunshot wound below his left shoulder. A hollow-point bullet was later recovered during the autopsy.
It was initially believed that Alberto Martino's car broke down and he was assaulted while trying to figure out what the issue was. However, a close examination of the car showed that someone had deliberately cut the brake lines and tampered with other parts of the car. This indicated to the investigators that the attack on Martino was planned and premeditated.
Motive of Alberto Martino's murder
While Alberto's murder initially seemed like a robbery gone wrong, police soon began focusing on his relationship with Lydia Alvarez as a potential reason behind his murder. Days before her boyfriend was killed, Lydia received anonymous threatening letters that warned her to end her relationship.
Soon, witnesses came forward claiming that it was Lydia's cousin, Miguel Alvarez, who was sending the letters. It was also revealed that Miguel had romantic feelings for Lydia and was envious of her relationship with Martino.
However, when Lydia rejected Miguels' advances, he focused on Alberto. Investigators also discovered that Miguel had been the one writing letters to Lydia, threatening her in an attempt to scare her. They also discovered that Miguel's cousin, Lydia's brother, Roberto Alvarez also joined him in his plan to kill Alberto.
The two men cut off Alberto's brake line and waited for his car to stall before attacking him. When Alberto stopped to check what was wrong with his car, Miguel struck him with a rod before Roberto shot him to death.
Arrest and conviction of Roberto and Miguel Alvarez
Witnesses reportedly stated that they saw Roberto and Miguel behaving suspiciously around Alberto's workplace a few days before he was killed. Upon their arrest, Roberto confessed to his role in the murder and admitted that Miguel was involved as well.
Evidence also implicated Miguel as the person sending Lydia the threatening letters. Additionally, police also found ammunition at the Alvarez house that matched the bullet that killed Alberto Martino.
Both men went on trial for the murder on April 6, 1990, according to Oxygen. They were found guilty six days later and were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Alberto Martino's murder was the result of jealousy and one-sided love. He was a beloved and popular DJ, who seemingly had no enemies.
Oxygen's Philly Homicide dove deeper into the case of Martino's murder and the investigation that led to the capture and conviction of his killers.
