Crime & Safety

Homeless Man Indicted In Christmas Eve Abduction, Rape, Murder

Juan Perez-Coira has been indicted on six counts in connection with the death of Deborah Burns, 55, of Spring Valley.

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced a six-count indictment has been handed up against Juan Perez-Coira, 43, of Spring Valley in connection with assault and death of Burns. Perez-Coira, who is homeless, could be sentenced to 25 years to life in prison if convicted. He is charged with:

  • Three counts of Murder in the Second Degree, class “A” Felonies
  • One count of Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a class “B” Felony
  • One count of Rape in the First Degree, a class “B” Felony
  • One count of Kidnapping in the First Degree, a class “A” Felony

“The degradation, humiliation and terror allegedly suffered by the victim at the hands of the defendant are truly disturbing,” said Zugibe. “This was a particularly senseless crime. The charges against the defendant will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

According to the charges, between December 24 and December 26, 2013, Perez-Coira kidnapped Burns and raped and sodomized her, and caused her death. He allegedly knew her from the Lakeview Village housing complex where both of their families lived. Arraignment on the indictment is pending.

Find out what's happening in Tarrytown-Sleepy Hollowwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.