A Virginia woman visiting the District of Columbia to see a concert was killed inside a Northeast hotel when a man entered her room and stabbed her 30 times, mostly in the back.
D.C. police arrested George Sydnor Jr., 43, on Friday and charged him with first-degree murder in the death of 31-year-old Christy Bautista, from Harrisonburg, Virginia. He had been on the run for an armed robbery charge when he encountered Ms. Bautista at the Ivy City Hotel on New York Avenue, police say.
Ms. Bautista’s family told WRC-TV that she was staying at the hotel because she was planning to go to a concert. But the night took a gruesome turn about an hour after she checked in.
“Our family is devastated by the loss of our beloved Christy,” Ms. Bautista’s family said. “She brought joy to everybody who knew her and was a shining light in all of our lives.”
Ms. Bautista’s family said that they don’t believe she and the suspect knew each other.
Security camera footage shows Sydnor riding a bike into the hotel’s parking lot and lurking outside Ms. Bautista’s room, according to court documents obtained by WRC.
He steps into the hotel room moments later and a struggle is heard. Ms. Bautista is heard yelling “Help! Help!” before she is pulled back into the room and a door is slammed shut. A witness who heard the commotion called 911.
Police arrived 10 minutes later and knocked on the door, at which point Sydnor told them everything was fine, according to court documents. Responding officers saw the man’s bloody hand through the window blinds and then used the master key to enter the room.
They found Ms. Bautista on the floor with stab wounds, while Sydnor was trying to light a cigarette. A large kitchen knife with a half-broken blade was found next to Sydnor’s jacket, according to the documents.
The D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Ms. Bautista was stabbed 30 times, mostly in the back.
Sydnor pleaded not guilty on Monday. A judge ordered him held without bond.
Sydnor has a lengthy criminal history, including convictions on a sex offense and burglary charges. He was arrested for armed robbery in October. He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, a lesser charge.
The first judge ordered Sydnor held without bond due to him being a danger to the community. But a different judge picked up Mr. Sydnor’s case and allowed him to be released on the condition he returned for his court hearing eight days later.
Sydnor skipped out on his hearing and became a fugitive. He was also wanted on theft charges in Maryland.
Sydnor’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 8.
• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.
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