News Releases

Update: Person of Interest in Alison Thresher’s Murder Located Deceased in Jail Cell

For Immediate Release: Friday, April 13, 2018

Yesterday at noon, the Police Department held a press conference and issued a press release to publicly announce that Fernando Asturizaga was considered a person of interest in the year 2000 disappearance and murder of 45-year-old Bethesda resident Alison Thresher. The department explained why Asturizaga was considered a person of interest in Thresher’s murder.  Detectives also provided additional details that have been gathered during the investigation with the hope that someone from the public will come forward with information that could lead to the arrest of a suspect(s) and locate Alison Thresher’s remains.

Last night, the Department was notified that Fernando Asturizaga, who was serving an over 100-year sentence at the Western Correctional Institution in Cumberland for the sexual abuse of Alison Thresher’s daughter, Hannah Thresher, had been located unresponsive in his jail cell by a correctional officer at approximately 8:45 p.m. and was pronounced deceased.  A death investigation is being conducted by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Internal Investigative Division.

Montgomery County Police Cold Case detectives responded to the correctional facility last night and are coordinating with their investigators and officials.

The disappearance of Alison Thresher continues to be an open and ongoing homicide investigation and therefore no additional details about the case will be released at this time.

Alison’s children, Hannah and Sam, spoke at the press conference yesterday.  At this time, Alison’s children do not wish to make any further public statement and ask that Media representatives respect their privacy.

RLI

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Public Information Contact for Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services:

Gerard Shields

Communications Writer and Media Relations Specialist

Gerard.Shields@maryland.gov

410-339-5834

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Release ID: 18-143
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: homicide, uncategorized