Murder Charges Against Husband in Wife's Alleged Strangulation Death – The Mercury News

HAYWARD – A 47-year-old man was charged with murder Tuesday for apparently strangling his wife in their home on Sept. 23, according to authorities and court records.

Alvaro Sierra is accused of killing 47-year-old Tania Afanador at her home in the 27000 block of Eucalyptus Court.

The couple was going through a divorce but still lived together and had gotten into an argument before the murder, according to court documents. Authorities did not say what the dispute was about.

Police were called to the apartment by another family member, who told 911 that something had happened in the house.

Afanador was found unconscious and pronounced dead inside the home. Final autopsy results are pending, but according to court records, the preliminary finding showed she had injuries consistent with strangulation.

According to police, Sierra, who lists his occupation as a warehouse manager in prison records, was also found at home with self-inflicted cuts.

He was taken to a hospital for treatment. After preliminary autopsy results were known, he was arrested on suspicion of murder on September 28 and booked into Santa Rita Prison.

He was held without bail and was scheduled to be arraigned in court on Wednesday.

It was initially unknown how long the couple had been married. Police said the couple had no children together.

In a news release announcing the charges, Hayward Police Chief Bryan Matthews said, “Domestic violence is a tragic and often unreported crime. We strongly encourage anyone who finds themselves in an abusive situation to seek help. We are here to provide protection and provide people with the resources and support they need.”

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information related to the murder is asked to call Detective Niedenthal at 510-293-7176.

The death is the 12th homicide Hayward police are investigating this year.

Originally published: October 1, 2024 at 2:46 p.m