Man Wanted After Woman’s Throat Was Slashed in Tennessee Captured at Indianapolis Restaurant, U.S. Marshals Say
A man wanted in a brutal Tennessee attack was captured months later in Indianapolis after federal authorities said he had been working at a restaurant under another identity.
U.S. Marshals said Alejandro Mancera Canchola was arrested on June 15, 2026, in Indianapolis. He was wanted in Campbell County, Tennessee, on an attempted first-degree murder charge tied to a December 17, 2024, attack in LaFollette.
According to the U.S. Marshals Service, the case began when Canchola went to a home on South Avenue in LaFollette, where his girlfriend lived. Officials said the two shared a baby, and authorities allege Canchola attacked the woman with a blade and slashed her throat.
The woman survived after what investigators described as a terrifying escape. Officials said she convinced Canchola to take their child to a neighbor. While he was away from home, she managed to get out and reach the street.
Authorities said passersby spotted the injured woman and helped her get medical attention. She was first taken to Tennova Medical Center in LaFollette, then transferred to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville for extensive treatment.
The U.S. Marshals Service said the woman has since recovered. Her name was not released for security reasons.
After the attack, officials said Canchola fled in the victim’s vehicle. Authorities said the car has still not been found.
The search for Canchola stretched for months. The Knoxville U.S. Marshals office joined the case after LaFollette police asked for help. Investigators said there were few strong leads at first, and authorities even considered whether Canchola might be dead because of statements he allegedly made during the attack.
The case later took another turn when authorities said they confirmed Canchola was also wanted by Mexican officials in connection with the murder of his ex-wife.
Investigators eventually developed information that led them to Indianapolis. U.S. Marshals said they worked with the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force and determined Canchola had been working at an Indian restaurant, Desi Chowrasha, and staying in a nearby apartment.
Deputy marshals and task force officers placed the restaurant under surveillance. Officials said they determined Canchola was inside working, then approached him.
Authorities said Canchola ran on foot but was quickly caught. Officials said he first gave a false ID before later admitting he was Alejandro Mancera Canchola.
Canchola was taken to the Marion County Jail in Indianapolis. He is being held while awaiting extradition to Campbell County, Tennessee, where he is expected to face the attempted first-degree murder charge.
U.S. Marshals also said ICE has placed a detainer on him, and Mexican authorities have been notified of his arrest.
Why It Matters
This case is disturbing not only because of the violent allegation, but also because of how long the search lasted after the attack. For months, authorities said Canchola appeared to disappear while the victim’s car remained missing and investigators worked through limited leads.
The victim’s survival is also central to the story. According to officials, she found a moment to protect her child, escape the home, and reach help. That detail turns the case from a standard fugitive arrest into a story about quick thinking, survival, and the strangers who helped her after she reached the street.
The arrest also shows how a local domestic violence case can cross state lines and involve multiple agencies. What began in LaFollette eventually led investigators to Indianapolis, where authorities said Canchola was working at a restaurant before he was captured.
For the LaFollette community, the arrest may bring some relief after months of uncertainty. For the victim, it may mark the start of the next legal chapter after a case that authorities say nearly turned deadly.
Canchola has been arrested, but the charge against him remains an allegation unless proven in court. Anyone with information about wanted fugitives can submit a tip through the U.S. Marshals tip page.
