Defendant Extradited From Florida After DNA Matched To Him This Year
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a man has been indicted
for first-degree Murder in the rape and strangulation of a young Bronx woman 17 years ago.
District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly raped and then strangled the
victim with a telephone cord, leaving her to be found dead by her family. This tragic case is a
reminder that “cold” cases are not forgotten and we will pursue justice no matter how long it
takes. I hope this victim’s family can get a measure of closure.”
District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Christopher Gonzalez, 36, of Naples,
Florida, was indicted on two counts of first-degree Murder and three counts of second-degree
Murder. He was arraigned today before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. He
was remanded and is due back in court on March 12, 2018. If convicted of the top charges, he
faces up to life in prison without parole.
According to the investigation, on December 2, 2000, inside an apartment building on
East 180th Street, the defendant allegedly raped and then strangled Dora Del Valle, 19, with a
telephone cord. The teen, who was house-sitting for her hospitalized uncle, was later found
dead by family members. A fingerprint and significant DNA evidence collected at the scene
was matched to the defendant this year. The defendant was extradited from Florida on
December 8, 2017.
An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.
