Convicted rapist faces murder charge after fatal stabbing

BOSTON -- A convicted rapist working at a highway rest area stabbed a woman to death Thursday in the ladies room after she fought off his attempts to rob her, police said.

An off-duty state police lieutenant heard a commotion in the restroom in the Route 24 rest area in Bridgewater, about 25 miles south of Boston, and then saw blood on the floor, police said.

When he opened the door, he saw Paul J. Leahy standing over the woman, who had "numerous stab wounds to the torso and neck," state trooper Barry Shea said.

Alexandra Zapp, 30, was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Leahy, 39, of East Bridgewater, was arraigned Thursday on charges including murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, armed assault and intent to rob.

He was being held without bail and couldn't be reached for comment.

It wasn't immediately clear if he had obtained an attorney.

Leahy, who was working for a restaurant at the rest stop, had been convicted of rape in 1985 and was released in 1998, according to the state Department of Corrections. He is on the state's registry of sex offenders.

Zapp, of Newport, R.I., worked at USA Sailing Association in Portsmouth, R.I., for about a year. She left her job this week to explore other options, said Penny Rego, a spokeswoman for the organization.