Adam Joel Anhang Uster was an ambitious entrepreneur, businessman, and real estate developer whose promising life was cut tragically short due to a horrifying crime. Since his tragic murder took place, his distraught family’s relentless fight for justice and the disturbing details have brought this case back into the limelight; especially after an episode of Dateline: Secrets Uncovered on Oxygen revisited it recently.
The Fateful Night of September 23, 2005
Anhang, alongside his estranged wife, Aurea Vazquez-Rijos, was exiting Pink Skirt, a nightclub in the bustling streets of Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Their encounter was filled with strained emotions due to their impending divorce. What followed was a violent attack that led to Anhang’s brutal murder, garnering it the media epithet of the “Pink Skirt Murder.”
The Adam Anhang Murder Case: A Complex Investigation
The circumstances surrounding Anhang’s death made for a complex investigation. Anhang was brutally stabbed and physically assaulted, leading to his death. The severity of the crime caught national attention. His estranged wife, Rijos, also suffered injuries but not as severe.
Rijos, dubbed as the “Black Widow” by the media, came under suspicion for her involvement in Anhang’s death. It was suggested that she may have had financial motives, given their ongoing divorce. Fleeing to Italy in 2006 to evade prosecution, Rijos was eventually caught and extradited back to Puerto Rico in 2015.
The case took an unexpected turn when Jonathan Roman Rivera, an employee at the Pink Skirt restaurant, was first found guilty of the murder. However, further investigation by the FBI cleared Roman, identifying Alex Pabon Colon as the actual culprit, revealing that Rijos had hired him to commit the crime.
The Agonizing Aftermath and Adam Anhang’s Family’s Pursuit of Justice
Anhang was part of a close family, his parents Abraham and Barbara Anhang having been left devastated by his sudden passing away on January 26, 1973 in Winnipeg.
Adam Anhang Family’s Relentless Search for Truth
Despite their profound grief, the Anhang family remained undeterred in their quest for justice. Abraham Anhang hired a private investigator to track down Rijos, leading to the reopening of the case by the Puerto Rico FBI.
Their pursuit of justice was met with several difficulties, such as Rijos’ attempts to escape or use legal means to evade it. Rijos and her sister Marcia Vazquez-Rijos as well as her former flame Jose Ferrer Sosa were finally charged with Anhang’s murder and were given life imprisonment sentences.
The Anhang family’s passion for justice not only kept their son’s memory alive, but also ensured those responsible were brought to account. Their journey exemplifies how perseverance in spite of seemingly insurmountable obstacles can bring closure and bring closure to an agonizing chapter in their lives.
