$50,000 reward offered in 2016 Willimantic homicide of 73-year-old man

WILLIMANTIC, CT (WFSB) - Willimantic police revealed new information about a homicide investigation on Wednesday morning.

Windham State’s Attorney Anne F. Mahoney and Willimantic Police Chief Paul Hussey held a news conference at 11 a.m. at the Willimantic Police Department.

They said provided information about a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever killed of William Alvarado, who was found dead in his Willimantic apartment on Sept. 7, 2016.

The $50,000 reward was granted by the governor’s office.

Officials also revealed that that believe Alvarado knew his killer well.

For 7 years, Alvarado’s family members said they were left without answers about who committed the crime.

The death remained unsolved, but their hope was that the news conference would be a sign of a step forward in the case.

“We, the Alvarado Family, kindly ask for anyone with any information to come forward and help William get the justice he deserves so no other innocent individual can get hurt the way he did,” said Melissa Alvarado Lee, the victim’s niece.

Alvarado was living in the John Ashton Tower in Willimantic when he was killed. Ashton Tower was described as a residential complex for low-income seniors and those with mental health issues.

Back in Sept. 2016, Alvarado was found in his apartment with his throat slashed.

Alvarado’s family doesn’t know much about his death. But they know plenty about the type of man he was.

“He was the most loving, humble, kind human being,” said Carmen Everett, Alvarado’s ex-sister-in-law

Both Alvarado’s family and police believe he may have known his killer.

“He just kept to himself, and I feel maybe he befriended the wrong person,” said Melissa Alvarado Lee.

“His friend base was pretty large and there was a lot of people in the area he was murdered that he knew very well,” said Michael Sheldon with the Connecticut Cold Case Unit.

To find that person, the governor has approved a $50,000 reward.

“People who are reluctant to talk to the police, this is the reason to talk. This family, they’re here, they’re asking for justice,” said Mahoney.

Investigators encourage anyone who has information, even if they don’t think it’s useful, to reach out. Any tip helps.

“Some knowledge that someone may not realize could catapult this into actually making progress,” Alvarado Lee said.

“Hopefully we will have someone behind bars that does not need to be out there that will hurt someone else,” said Everett.

Police said if you know anything, give the Connecticut Cold Case Unit a call. You can stay anonymous.