Who is Pedro Grajales? Connecticut Victim's Last Meal Before Heinous Death Detailed

Pedro Grajales, a 55-year-old man from Hartford, was handed a 30-year prison sentence for murdering his girlfriend in April 2023. The victim, identified as Nilda Rivera, was stabbed to death by Grajales, who was believed to have been driven by jealousy, according to the Hartford Superior Court.

Although the motive of Grajales was clear, the final moments he had with Rivera were not. But according to an arrest warrant obtained by Law & Crime, a premeditated plan that involved the last meal of the deceased had been mapped out.

After inviting Rivera to his home, Grajales admitted that he intentionally treated Rivera nicely. He agreed to go out and get food, ending up at a McDonald's branch located at Brainard Road.

Rather than dine in, Grajales and Rivera used the drive-through to buy their food. They would consume their food in the parking lot, with Nilda unaware of the danger that followed.

Grajales moved his seat back, enough for him to swiftly swing a knife he hid in the left pocket of his pants. Pedro would proceed to execute his dastardly plan, stabbing Rivera multiple times in the front passenger seat.

Driven by Jealousy

The heinous crime committed by Grajales was driven by his jealousy. The Hartford man had suspected Nilda of cheating on him, and things just went out of control.

What made it even more sickening was Grajales showing no mercy, driving both of them to the Connecticut police station and confessing to the crime. To prove his point, he even showed the police officer, Alexander Oralaza, photos from his phone showing Rivera with multiple stab wounds, Fox 5 reported.

Officers rushed out with hopes of trying to revive and save Nilda at the time. They attempted life-saving measures and managed to bring Rivera to the hospital. Unfortunately, the 57-year-old did not make it.

Grajales pleaded guilty in December 2025, a move meant to avoid a full jury trial. As a result, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the 2023 murder of Nilda Rivera.

Out of Control Ex-Con

Even before Grajales' heinous crime, there were already warning signs. He had 15 prior convictions for burglary, as well as convictions for drug offences and larceny that date back to 1994.

Also, Rivera's family already knew of Grajales and his disturbing ways. His jealousy was unquestionable, as most witnessed how he would regularly check on Rivera's phone and force her to delete items.

Moreover, Grajales also monitored the social media activities of Rivera. If he saw anyone suspicious or he disliked, he would order Nilda to remove them.

Given those observations, some family members gave Grajales the benefit of the doubt. They never imagined Pedro losing it and going as far as to commit murder. They were wrong.

'He was very jealous... He would look in her phone and delete stuff and go on her social media and delete people,' Yaitza Casanova, one of Rivera's daughters, stated. 'I hope that they do to him what he did to my mother and he suffers slowly,' she added.

Rivera's daughters revealed that the couple had an on-and-off relationship. In fact, at one point, Grajales vowed never to hurt Nilda. Unfortunately, it was a promise that never held up, leading to the senseless death of the 57-year-old mother.

Rivera's daughters revealed that the couple had an on-and-off relationship. In fact, at one point, Grajales vowed never to hurt Nilda. Unfortunately, it was a promise that never held up, leading to the senseless death of the 57-year-old mother.