COHOES, N.Y. (WRGB) -- The search continues for a man now considered the main suspect in the stabbing death of his girlfriend.
Police say 53-year-old Anthony "Tony" Bechand is wanted in connection with the killing of 41-year-old Amanda Rodriguez, who was found dead inside her Earl Lynn Court home in Cohoes Sunday morning. An autopsy confirmed she was stabbed to death.
"There's evidence that puts him at the scene at the time," said Cohoes Mayor Bill Keeler.
The manhunt is now in its fourth day, with multiple agencies, including the state police and DEC forest rangers, involved in the search.
"The bloodhounds came in and they did a search. State Police had drones up in the air. State Police Aviation had helicopters up. State Police Uniform Patrols are scouring the area. BCI investigators are conducting interviews," Keeler said.
But it seems Bechand's trail has gone cold.
"No sightings that we're aware of as of yet," said the mayor.
Bechand's white 2024 Chevy Silverado was located Sunday evening, abandoned in the Town of Brighton in Franklin County, deep in the Adirondacks, roughly 50 miles south of the Canadian border.
While Bechand does not appear to have ties to Franklin County, Rodriguez was originally from Malone, which is located there.
Mayor Keeler noted the area is heavily wooded and rural, and said police have not detected any activity on Bechand's cell phone or credit cards.
Rodriguez's friends describe her as kind, protective and resilient, but say her relationship with Bechand was toxic.
"I was totally in shock that this happened," said friend Letha Cruz. "I knew it could get physical and they did fight, and I knew they were toxic for each other. But I never expected this in a million years."
In 2023, Letha Cruz interviewed Rodriguez for an assistant manager position at a local leasing company. Cruz recounted how their friendship sparked right away,
"While I was interviewing Amanda, I also had another gentleman who was a co-worker come in and he was making jokes, teasing on me and Amanda immediately took on this protective role over me, you know, I'm a lot older than Amanda," said Cruz.
"I immediately had to hire her because I knew she- I saw something special in her," she added.
"She was always for the underdog. She was always just full of light. She was generous, kind, tough, very tough, especially when it came to protecting anybody that she thought couldn't defend for themselves," Cruz said about her friend.
CBS6's BRIANA SUPARDI: "What do you know about [Rordriguez's and Bechand's] relationship?
LETHA CRUZ: "I knew it was toxic. She used to tell me, you know, that it got physical too. Hands on, you know. She did say that he cheated a lot and and he was aggressive."
According to Mayor Keeler, police had never been called to the residence since Rodriguez purchases the home in 2015. He also noted that Bechand has no criminal history.
"She was just a genuine person, kind person, just tough and protective. And I just miss her truly. I just really hope that they find him. I just want justice for her," Cruz said.
On Tuesday, Cohoes Police put out a plea for public help. They are asking anyone who may have seen Bechand or someone matching his description in the area of Raybrook anytime between Saturday, Sept. 13, around 12:26 pm to present time to call the New York State tipline at 518-897-2000, Cohoes Police Department at 518-233-2146, or 911.
If you think you see him, police advise you not to approach him, and contact police immediately.