Fatal Affairs is investigating the murder of Deborah Waldinger, who was bludgeoned to death by her boyfriend, Luis Rondon, a sergeant and peace officer at the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority in New York.
On October 9, 2019, a maintenance worker at Waldinger’s apartment building in New Windsor, NY, found her remains after they entered her apartment to perform repair work. The 32-year-old had been beaten to death with a framing hammer.
Waldinger met Rondon through a medieval re-enactment group named the Society for Creative Anachronism.
The group traveled the country to participate in Renaissance fairs, where members assumed false names, wore medieval costumes, and engaged in mock battles.
Despite being married, Rondon engaged in a romantic affair with Waldinger. The investigators concluded that Rondon beat his girlfriend to death after she threatened to tell his wife about their relationship.
The police believed Rondon feared that he was about to lose his wife, his home, and his pension if Waldinger went through with her threat. Therefore, he decided it was better to destroy her life.
Luis Rondon fled to a re-enactment event in California after Deborah Waldinger murder
After the murder, Rondon flew to Kern County, California, to take part in a medieval re-enactment. On October 11, the killer was at the festival held at the Buena Vista Aquatic Recreational Area about 19 miles east of Taft when the New York authorities alerted the Taft police that a warrant had been issued for his arrest.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelThe Taft cops found Rondon standing beside a tent wearing a black robe and red linen pants. They arrested him without incident.
Rondon went by the character name of Luis de Castille and had recently been declared King of the East. Following his arrest, the re-enactment group issued a statement explaining that the killer had abdicated and been expelled from the group.
Luis Rondon convicted of killing Deborah Waldinger
In 2021, Rondon was convicted of second-degree murder and fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon. He was sentenced to 25 years to life.
The killer is currently incarcerated at the Great Meadow Correctional Facility in Comstock, NY.
Waldinger family member Ana Maria Waldinger said after Rondon’s arrest, “[Deborah] was a great woman, a great girl. She liked to help a lot of people.”
Her cousin Sebastian Matute echoed that sentiment, “She would go out of her way to make sure everyone was fine, even if it meant putting herself to the side.”
Fatal Affairs airs Mondays at 9/8c on Investigation Discovery.
Was she still pregnant when he murdered her? If she was did he plead off that charge?