Philly police investigate after woman’s body found in shallow grave; wanted person of interest

CHASING THE FOX – The body of a woman who went missing on Halloween was found in the Fox Chase neighborhood of Philadelphia Thursday night, police sources said.

On Friday, Philadelphia police identified the victim as 29-year-old Melody Rivera. Rivera’s family said she is survived by an 11-year-old daughter and described her as kind, funny and loving.

“We spent every day, hours, hours looking for my sister,” Martha Lee Freed said. “She didn’t deserve to be buried in a park. She didn’t deserve this.”

Police said Rivera was last seen on Halloween at 7 p.m. in the 900 block of Sanger Street.

On Thursday, police sources told FOX 29’s Steve Kiley that the victim’s body was found buried in a shallow grave off Very Road along Tustin Avenue.

After the victim was reported missing, police began an investigation.

Sources say they ran a background check on the victim’s alleged boyfriend, identified as 29-year-old Giovanni Otero, and found he had a criminal record related to a gun case.

Otero was on parole in the case and had a GPS ankle monitor, which sources said helped detectives narrow him down as a person of interest.

Based on the GPS tracker and new evidence, sources say police believe Otero killed the woman and drove her several miles to the scene in Fox Chase and buried her body.

Police are asking for the public’s help in locating Otero, who they are calling a person of interest in the case.

“This investigation is ongoing. However, we would still like to speak with her boyfriend, Giovanni Otero, who is also wanted by the state for a parole violation, but we would like to speak with him as part of this investigation,” Deputy Commissioner Frank said. Vanore, Philadelphia Police Department.

Police are urging anyone with information on Otero’s whereabouts to contact homicide detectives at 215-686-3334. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling or texting 215-686-TIPS.

“Because of my heart, I will not stop until justice is done for my sister,” Fred said. “You will be found wherever you are, they will find you.”