Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that 27-year-old Luis Lopez-Rivera of Buffalo has been arraigned before State Supreme Court Justice John L. Michalski on an indictment charging him with one count of Murder in the Second Degree.

It is alleged that on February 10, 2018, the defendant caused the death of his aunt, Maria Rivera, inside her apartment on Sobieski Street in the City of Buffalo. The medical examiner determined that the victim died from strangulation.

The defendant was remanded without bail.

If convicted as charged, Lopez-Rivera faces 25 years to life in prison.

The case is being prosecuted by Colleen Curtin Gable, Chief of the DA’s Homicide Bureau.

DA Flynn commends the thorough investigative work of the Buffalo Police Department Homicide Squad, including Det. Patricia Wrest, Det. Brendan Kiefer, Det. James Kaska, Det. Joy Jermain and Det. Sgt. Carl Lundin. DA Flynn also commends US Marshals for their work in locating the defendant in Florida.

As are all persons accused of a crime, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.