Philadelphia man sentenced to 25 years for maple shade motel killing — Prison fence. Grid fence with barbed wire against sunset. Barbed wire. Security measures for prisoners in prison.

Alexander Rivera, a 27-year-old Philadelphia resident, was sentenced today to a 25-year prison term for the murder of Michelle Johnston, 36, in a Maple Shade motel earlier this year. Judge Gerard H. Breland of Superior Court in Mount Holly presided over the sentencing, stipulating that Rivera must serve at least 85% of his term before becoming eligible for parole. Rivera had previously pled guilty to First Degree Aggravated Manslaughter in July.

The case first came to light on May 11, 2022, when the Maple Shade Police Department received a call about an unresponsive woman at the Bel-Air Motor Lodge on Route 73. Michelle Johnston, who had previously lived in various parts of Burlington and Camden counties, was found dead in room 410. Dr. Ian Hood, the Burlington County Medical Examiner, confirmed that Johnston had died from strangulation and multiple stab wounds.

Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw characterized the incident as a “fierce, unprovoked attack against an unsuspecting victim.” Bradshaw added, “We join those who loved Michelle Johnston, including her two children, in mourning her tragic loss, and are grateful to everyone involved in this case who helped us bring justice for her death.”

Rivera was arrested at his Philadelphia home in November by the U.S. Marshals Service New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force. The prosecution was led by Assistant Prosecutor Bob Van Gilst, who supervises the Major Crimes Unit of the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.

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