Homicide; 1000-block Ingra Street
Update on 3/4/25:
From the Attorney General’s Office
Feb. 21, 2025 (Anchorage, AK) – Today, Anchorage Superior Court Judge Andrew Peterson sentenced 50-year-old Armando Velador-Padilla to a sentence of 60 years in custody with ten suspended, 50 years to serve for Murder in the Second Degree.
The charges stem from an April 23, 2021 incident where Velador-Padilla was hearing voices and suffering active delusions that were instructing him to kill the devil that he believed was inside of his daughter, Darla Velador, 22. He stabbed her and her dog repeatedly, killing both. Velador-Padilla was later diagnosed with schizophrenia but found competent to stand trial and enter his plea of guilty.
The State entered into a plea agreement with Velador-Padilla, whereby the sentence to be imposed would be between 15 and 65 years. The defense requested 15 years, the State argued for a sentence of 65 years with 15 suspended, 50 to serve.
Judge Peterson found that the crime was among the most serious of Murder in the Second Degree offenses, and that Velador-Padilla’s prospects for rehabilitation were very low. The court found that if released, Velador-Padilla presented a serious danger to the community, because according to expert testimony, his mental illness was the type that was very resistant to medication, but also that Velador-Padilla had a history of not being medically compliant, even while in custody.
Many family members of Dara Velador participated throughout the duration of the case and in the sentencing hearing and advocated for lengthy incarceration for Velador-Padilla.
The case was investigated by the Anchorage Police Department’s Homicide unit and prosecuted by District Attorney Brittany Dunlop and supported by Tanna Severson at the Anchorage District Attorney’s Office.
Update on 4/30/21:
From the Attorney General's Office
On April 29, 2021, an Anchorage grand jury indicted 46-year-old Armando Velador-Padilla for killing his daughter, Darla Velador, and her dog on April 23, 2021. The grand jury has charged the defendant with one count of Murder in the First Degree, one count of Murder in the Second Degree, and one count of Animal Cruelty.
If convicted at trial, Velador-Padilla faces a sentence of up to 99 years imprisonment, a fine of $500,000, or both. The charges in the indictment are only allegations and are not evidence of guilt. Velador-Padilla is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the prosecution must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Currently, Velador-Padilla is in the custody of the Department of Corrections. His bail has been set at $250,000 cash or corporate appearance and $250,000 cash performance. Velador-Padilla is scheduled to be arraigned before the Superior Court on May 3, 2021.
On April 29, 2021, an Anchorage grand jury indicted 46-year-old Armando Velador-Padilla for killing his daughter, Darla Velador, and her dog on April 23, 2021. The grand jury has charged the defendant with one count of Murder in the First Degree, one count of Murder in the Second Degree, and one count of Animal Cruelty.
If convicted at trial, Velador-Padilla faces a sentence of up to 99 years imprisonment, a fine of $500,000, or both. The charges in the indictment are only allegations and are not evidence of guilt. Velador-Padilla is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the prosecution must prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Currently, Velador-Padilla is in the custody of the Department of Corrections. His bail has been set at $250,000 cash or corporate appearance and $250,000 cash performance. Velador-Padilla is scheduled to be arraigned before the Superior Court on May 3, 2021.
UPDATE--8:15PM--04/23/21
Through the course of the investigation, detectives with the Homicide Unit identified a suspect.
The suspect was located and taken into custody. He was questioned by detectives and transported to jail.
The suspect has been identified as Armando Velador Padilla (46-years-old). He faces charges of Murder 1, Murder 2 and Animal Cruelty
All lanes of Ingram Street are now reopen. Thank you for your cooperation.
UPDATE--3:16PM--04/23/21
At 12:55PM on 4/23/21 Officers with the Patrol Division responded to the 1000 Block of Ingra Street to reports of a disturbance. Upon arrival, officers located one adult female victim inside a residence with trauma to her upper body. She was transported to a local hospital where she died as a result from her injuries . The victim’s pet dog was discovered to also have trauma to it’s body. The canine was transported to an area pet emergency center and died as a result of their injuries. The circumstances are under investigation, but this case is being investigated as a homicide. The APD Crime Scene Team and Detectives have responded and will be conducting a thorough investigation.
Detectives believe they have made contact with everyone involved. This appears to be an isolated incident and no one is outstanding.
Officers and APD’s Crime Scene Team will be in the area for an extended period of time. One lane of Ingram Northbound remains closed.
Original--2:14PM--04/23/21
At 12:55PM on 4/23/21 Officers with the Patrol Division responded to the 1000 Block of Ingra Street to reports of a disturbance.
There will be a large police presence in the area as the investigation continues. One lane Northbound of Ingram is currently closed. Please avoid the area.
APD Case 21-12724
