- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Man Found Guilty in 35-Year-Old Cold Case Murder of Santa Maria Woman
Aloysius Winthrop James convicted of killing Ofelia Sandoval in 1988 based on DNA evidence
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A Santa Maria jury has found 57-year-old Aloysius Winthrop James guilty in the 1988 murder of 30-year-old Ofelia Sandoval. Sandoval was sexually assaulted and strangled at the Town Center Hotel where she lived. Police linked James to the cold case through DNA evidence found on a towel and shirt near Sandoval's body, which was not tested until years later. James initially denied any contact with Sandoval, but later admitted to having sex with her, claiming he lied because his father was a pastor. James is facing life in prison without parole at his sentencing hearing in April.
Why it matters
This case highlights the importance of DNA evidence in solving cold cases, even decades later. It also underscores the challenges law enforcement faces in processing and preserving evidence, as well as the trauma experienced by victims' families who wait years for justice. The conviction of James brings closure to Sandoval's loved ones after over 35 years.
The details
Police linked Aloysius Winthrop James to the 1988 murder of Ofelia Sandoval through DNA evidence found on a towel and shirt near her naked body. Investigators initially did not collect DNA from James, but later tested a glove he had thrown away at work, which led to a positive match. James had previously denied any contact with Sandoval, but later admitted to having sex with her, claiming he lied because his father was a pastor.
- On September 18, 1988, Ofelia Sandoval was killed at the Town Center Hotel where she lived.
- In the 2000s, investigators processed the DNA evidence, but it did not match Sandoval's boyfriend, family members or those listed in law enforcement databases.
- In 2018, while reviewing the case files, investigators discovered they had not collected DNA evidence from James.
- In 2024, investigators tested a glove James had thrown away at his work, which led to a positive DNA match.
- On April 14, 2026, James will be sentenced for the murder.
The players
Aloysius Winthrop James
A 57-year-old man who was found guilty of the 1988 murder of Ofelia Sandoval.
Ofelia Sandoval
A 30-year-old woman who was murdered in 1988 at the Town Center Hotel where she lived.
What’s next
James is facing life in prison without the possibility of parole at his sentencing hearing on April 14.
The takeaway
The conviction of Aloysius Winthrop James in the 35-year-old cold case murder of Ofelia Sandoval demonstrates the power of DNA evidence in solving even the oldest crimes and providing closure for victims' families. It also underscores the need for law enforcement to thoroughly process and preserve evidence, as well as the trauma experienced by loved ones who wait decades for justice.
