RAY BROOK, N.Y. — State Police have arrested Anthony G. Bechand, 53, from Cohoes, in connection with the stabbing death of his girlfriend, Amanda Margaret “Mandee” Rodriguez, 41. Bechand was apprehended Friday morning near Paul Smith’s College on State Route 86, approximately three miles from where his truck was found in Brighton on September 14.
Police captured Bechand after receiving two civilian tips about a suspicious man walking in the area. Troopers and Franklin County Sheriff deputies took him into custody without incident around 7:30 a.m. and transported him to the NYSP Ray Brook barracks for questioning.
This arrest follows a nearly two-week manhunt that covered more than 600 miles of tracks and over 950 acres. Authorities searched roughly 270 homes, hunting camps, and structures, conducting numerous interviews in the area, according to Cohoes Police Chief Todd Waldin.
The investigation revealed Bechand had no known ties to the Tri-Lakes region apart from his girlfriend’s family. Officials believe he traveled alone and may have been injured during his flight, as blood was found near his truck, suggesting an injury to his left side.
Amanda Rodriguez’s death was ruled a homicide caused by hemorrhagic shock due to multiple sharp force trauma, including a stab wound to the heart. Rodriguez was found by a friend after her mother, concerned for her welfare, asked someone to check on her.
Authorities continue to investigate the homicide, with multiple agencies involved, including the U.S. Marshals Task Force, state Forest Rangers, and several local police and sheriff departments. The community’s tips and the media’s coverage were key in leading to Bechand’s capture.
A celebration of Rodriguez’s life is scheduled for September 27 in Altona.
