Harrisburg Man Charged with Rape and Murder of Girlfriend

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Rafael Ivan Duran Malave, 32, has been charged with the rape and murder of his 25-year-old girlfriend, Amanda Makor. Makor's body was found unresponsive in their Harrisburg home on March 30, and an autopsy determined she died of asphyxiation due to multiple traumatic injuries, including strangulation and chest compressions. Investigators believe Malave killed Makor on the night of March 28 and then fled to Puerto Rico in an attempt to avoid apprehension.

Why it matters

This tragic case highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence and the need for greater resources and support to protect victims. It also raises concerns about the ability of accused perpetrators to evade justice by fleeing to other jurisdictions.

The details

According to police, Malave and Makor lived together on Progress Avenue in Harrisburg. On the morning of March 30, Makor's sister found her body lying on the bathroom floor of their shared home. The autopsy revealed evidence that Makor had been raped on the night of her death. Investigators used license plate readers, work records, and surveillance footage to piece together Malave's movements on March 28, which led them to conclude he killed Makor that evening and then purchased airline tickets to Puerto Rico, where he fled to avoid arrest.

• On March 28, Malave was seen on video leaving work and returning to the shared apartment around the same time Makor arrived home.
• Later that evening on March 28, Malave purchased airline tickets from Harrisburg to Puerto Rico.
• Makor's body was discovered on the morning of March 30 by her sister.

What’s next

Malave is currently in custody in Puerto Rico awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania to face charges of criminal homicide and rape by forcible compulsion.