Leah Palian: Florida survivor's harrowing encounter exposes NYC hotel killer's violent crime spree
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Leah Palian's harrowing encounter with alleged assailant Raad Almansoori has revealed a disturbing pattern of violence spanning multiple states.
Palian, who narrowly escaped a violent assault, pleaded with Florida prosecutors to keep Almansoori behind bars, warning of his potential to escalate into a serial killer.
“I was begging them,” she claimed. “I was like, ‘Please keep this man off the streets. If you let him go with a slap on the wrist, I guarantee you he will turn into the next Ted Bundy. He got such a rush from doing this. If he gets away with this, it’s going to further this rush and he’s going to become a serial killer.'”
Unfortunately, her pleas went unanswered, leading to a tragic series of events that included the murder of a Queens mom in a New York City hotel room and a stabbing spree in Arizona.
Timeline of Leah Palian's disturbing encounter with Raad Almansoori
Palian met Almansoori, who introduced himself as Noah, at an Orlando restaurant where they worked together. Despite his odd behavior and poor social skills, she offered him a ride home after learning he biked to work due to a broken-down car.
What started as a routine arrangement turned into a nightmare when Almansoori's behavior took a dark turn inside Palian's home. In the early morning hours, he became aggressive and belligerent, making sexist statements and displaying erratic behavior.
The situation escalated, leading to a chilling incident where Almansoori allegedly strangled and brutally assaulted Palian. “He comes back over with this blank look in his eyes, just complete black eyes,” she stated. “He gets directly on top of me…and he starts strangling me,” New York Post reported.
Leah Palian locked herself in 7-Eleven bathroom to escape Raad Almansoori
However, Palian managed to persuade Almansoori to stop at a 7-Eleven so she could use the restroom. Once there, she secured herself in the bathroom and dialed 911. Despite his attempts to locate her, she remained hidden.
Although he enlisted a manager to unlock the stall with a key, Palian promptly informed the manager that she was on the phone with 911, prompting Almansoori to flee.
The suspect purportedly fled in her vehicle and was located by law enforcement approximately one day later, approximately two hours north of the rest stop in Sumter County. Despite her desperate attempts to seek help, Almansoori escaped custody, and serious charges against him were inexplicably dropped.
Raad Almansoori tied to Denisse Oleas-Arancibia's murder
Almansoori is now accused of murdering Denisse Oleas-Arancibia, a 38-year-old Queens mom, in a SoHo hotel room. The investigation suggests that the suspect hired Oleas-Arancibia as an escort, leading to a fatal argument.
Palian's detective called her to share the shocking news that Almansoori was now a suspect in a murder case. The terrifying sequence of events continued as Almansoori allegedly attacked two more women in Arizona, leading to his arrest.
Palian, who received unsettling calls and texts from Almansoori even after his arrest, believes that the Florida system failed to prevent these heinous crimes. She expressed her belief that the suspect, displaying emotionless and “blank eyes,” had the potential to become a serial killer if not stopped.
“One of the things that is notable about serial killers is how they have no emotion behind their eyes whenever they are like this. It’s like dead eyes, and that’s what he had,” she highlighted. “It was like no consciousness, no soul behind his eyes.”
