The brutal murder of Denise Olasarnia in a New York City hotel room sent shockwaves through the city, leaving authorities scrambling for answers. After a nationwide manhunt, 26-year-old Raad Almanor was apprehended in Arizona, following a string of violent crimes. But as the legal battle for his extradition unfolds, a chilling revelation has come to light: Almanor had a history of violence against women, and one of his alleged victims claims he predicted his own terrifying descent into darkness.
A Trail of Violence: From Orlando to Soho
Almanor’s alleged crime spree began months earlier in Orlando, Florida, where he worked with Leah Paleen at a local restaurant. Paleen, who has bravely shared her story with the media, described Almanor as “socially reserved” and “quirky.” She learned about his troubled past, including claims of a difficult family life and abuse. One evening, after a late shift, Paleen offered Almanor a ride home, which turned into a recurring arrangement. On the night of the alleged assault, Almanor asked for a ride and to sleep on her couch, to which she agreed.
“I never had a feeling that my life was going to be in danger that night,” Paleen recounted in an exclusive interview. “I was like, ‘Oh, this is just a minor inconvenience for me.'”
A Night of Terror and a Disturbing Premonition
Paleen’s perception of Almanor changed drastically that night. After consuming alcohol, she claims he became belligerent, verbally abusive, and increasingly erratic. Fearing for her safety, Paleen decided to wait until morning to confront him. However, when Almanor discovered text messages between Paleen and a friend discussing his behavior, his demeanor turned menacing.
Paleen alleges that Almanor physically assaulted her, his eyes devoid of emotion, uttering bone-chilling words: “Scream, and I’ll kill you. I hate that I have to do this. I hate that I have to kill you.”
The assault left Paleen terrified and convinced she would die that night. She eventually managed to escape her apartment, driving with Almanor to retrieve his car from a mechanic. During the tense drive, Almanor’s choice of music – a song about getting away with murder – further fueled Paleen’s fear.
Justice Denied? The System’s Failure and a Killer’s Eerie Prediction
Following a harrowing escape from the car at a gas station, Paleen contacted the authorities. Despite her terrifying ordeal, the State Attorney’s office ultimately dropped all charges against Almanor, except for Grand Theft Auto, citing “insufficient evidence.”
Paleen, however, vehemently disagrees. “It makes my blood boil a little bit because not only did they let this happen, but then for [them] to double down and instead of take responsibility for what happened… put out this blanket statement,” she asserted.
According to Paleen, the police officers initially assured her there was enough evidence to build a case. Yet, during her interview with the State Attorney’s office, she felt dismissed and disbelieved.
“I actually said to them verbatim in the interview, ‘If you let this man walk with a slap on the wrist, he will become the next Ted Bundy,'” Paleen revealed.
Tragically, Paleen’s chilling premonition appears to have come true. Months after the alleged assault, Almanor resurfaced in New York City, where he is accused of brutally murdering Denise Olasarnia in a Soho hotel room. He then fled to Arizona, where he was apprehended following a series of violent attacks.
Adding another layer of unease to the story, Paleen revealed that Almanor contacted her on the night of the alleged Soho murder, asking, “How [do] you feel about everything that went down between us?”
The Fight for Extradition and a Victim’s Plea for Justice
Now, as the legal battle for Almanor’s extradition plays out on a national stage, Paleen, along with the families of his alleged victims, waits for justice.
“I am in full support of whatever keeps this man off the streets,” Paleen declared. “I know that he… absolutely will do this again.”
The shocking case of Raad Almanor raises disturbing questions about the criminal justice system’s effectiveness in protecting potential victims. As the legal proceedings continue, one can only hope that justice will be served for Denise Olasarnia and the other individuals whose lives were tragically impacted by Almanor’s alleged reign of terror.
