(NewsNation) — The suspect accused of killing a woman in a New York City hotel and stabbing two others in Arizona is back in a Scottsdale courtroom Wednesday.
Investigators believe they may have stopped a potential serial killer in his tracks with 26-year-old Raad Almansoori’s arrest because they say he expressed a desire to kill female sex workers.
Police say Almansoori killed 38-year-old Denise Oleas-Arancibia inside a New York City hotel room, choking and beating her with an iron because he claimed she shorted him on time for paid sex.
He was then seen on camera leaving the hotel wearing Oleas-Arancibia’s leggings because his pants were “too bloody.”
The suspected killer has also been accused of stabbing two Arizona women, including a young worker inside a McDonald’s bathroom.
At least two of his victims shared details about Almansoori with investigators, including specifics about his eyes and how they seemed to go completely black when he was attacking them, according to police.
Investigators say Almansoori told them he also wanted to kill his father and stepmother as well as burn their house down.
At a hearing Monday in Arizona, a judge denied Almansoori’s bond, keeping the accused killer in jail.
Prosecutors in Arizona are refusing to extradite Almansoori to New York to face a murder charge because they believe Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is too soft on violent criminals.
Bragg denies that claim and calls what they’re doing in Arizona grandstanding.
Last week, a Florida woman told NewsNation that Almansoori attacked her at her home last April. Leah Palian said she begged authorities not to release Almansoori after he nearly choked her to death.
“I thought it was going to be an open and closed case. And you know, he was behind bars. They caught him. It was so relieving,” Palian said.
Then the case was transferred to State Attorney Monique Worrell’s office. When Palian was interviewed by Worrell, she said she could tell her case wasn’t being taken seriously.
“I was relaying all my concerns and they were really just brushing them off,” Palian said. “It got to the point in the interview where I could feel I was not being taken seriously.”
Palian warned Worrell and her team that if they let Almansoori walk, he would turn into the next Ted Bundy, claiming all the signs were there.
Last August, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Worrell for “neglecting her duty to faithfully prosecute crime in her jurisdiction.”
The current state attorney who replaced Worrell, Andrew Bain, released the following statement on Almansoori:
“After reviewing all the evidence and facts related to the case, we concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove the sexual battery and aggravated assault charges beyond a reasonable doubt.”