A chilling clue left at the scene of a grisly murder has led investigators to a suspect in one of San Francisco’s most shocking crimes. The “EBOK” graffiti tag scrawled above the body of Maxwell “Max” Maltzman in an abandoned Hunters Point warehouse has been linked to a classmate—Ryder Quiroga—who is now at the center of a high-stakes legal battle to determine whether he will be tried as an adult. The case has captivated the city, raising questions about juvenile justice, rehabilitation, and the dark secrets that can lurk behind a seemingly normal facade. Here’s what we know about the murder, the suspect, and the ongoing legal proceedings.
Ryder Quiroga, now 21, has been identified as the San Francisco teen accused in the January 2023 killing of his classmate, 18-year-old Maxwell “Max” Maltzman. Quiroga was arrested 20 months after the murder, linked to the crime by the “EBOK” graffiti tag found at the scene. The case is currently before a judge, who will decide whether Quiroga will be tried as an adult or remain in the juvenile justice system.
The Crime: A Teenager’s Body Found in a Warehouse
On January 23, 2023, the body of Maxwell Maltzman was discovered in a flooded access shaft of an abandoned concrete warehouse on the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard . He had been bludgeoned to death.
The 18-year-old senior at Raoul Wallenberg High School had been reported missing by his parents two weeks earlier . His final moments were captured in a 911 call placed at 9:20 p.m. on January 6, 2023—a desperate plea for help that went unanswered when the call dropped .
Key details of the investigation:
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Maltzman was found floating in water in a flooded access shaft, partially obscured by a large steel plate
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He had been repeatedly struck near a rear entrance to the warehouse
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A graffiti tag reading “EBOK” was spray-painted above the victim, with an arrow pointing down
The Suspect: Ryder Quiroga and the “EBOK” Tag
Investigators spent months trying to piece together what happened. The “EBOK” tag proved to be a critical lead . Through interviews with classmates and a graffiti-related arrest, police linked the tag to Ryder Quiroga, a fellow student at Wallenberg High School who was 17 at the time of the killing .
Quiroga was ultimately arrested 20 months after the murder . It was later discovered that he had attended Maltzman’s memorial service, standing alone in a dark suit in a corner of the room .
What the Evidence Shows
Prosecutors have laid out a compelling case against Quiroga based on witness testimony and evidence gathered during the investigation.
According to the prosecution:
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On the night of the killing, Quiroga invited Maltzman to what he said was a party at the Hunters Point warehouse
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Surveillance video showed the two together in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood before they took a Muni bus to the warehouse location
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A final surveillance video showed Quiroga and an unknown male walking back to the bus stop after the killing
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An AirTag from Maltzman’s keychain was later found in a storm drain at the intersection
Additional evidence includes:
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A text message Quiroga sent to a classmate at 3 a.m. on January 7, 2023—six hours after the 911 call—showing a photo of a bloodied hand with a cut over the knuckles
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Quiroga allegedly asked the same classmate days later if people suspected he was the killer
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His ex-girlfriend told investigators that Quiroga had admitted to taking Maltzman’s keys, watch, wallet, beaded bracelet, and T-shirt before dumping his body
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She said Quiroga expressed pride in how difficult the body had been to find and identify
The Motive: Unsubstantiated Allegations
The ex-girlfriend told police that Quiroga claimed he killed Maltzman because Maltzman had bragged about sexually assaulting girls . Quiroga allegedly said he had gotten rid of “one more bad person in this world.”
However, police and the victim’s family have strongly disputed this claim.
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No one has come forward to substantiate the assault allegations relayed by the ex-girlfriend
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Sgt. Tom McWilliams, the lead investigator for SFPD, stated that no reports of such behavior were ever filed
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Maltzman’s parents called the claim “nauseating” and a “cruel and unsubstantiated rumor” used to justify their son’s murder
The Legal Battle: Adult vs. Juvenile Court
The case is currently before Judge Anne Costin in what is known as a transfer hearing. The District Attorney’s office is requesting that Quiroga, who is now 21, be tried in adult court—a move that could result in a sentence of 25 years to life in state prison .
If the case remains in juvenile court:
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Quiroga must be released before he turns 25
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He could potentially be freed earlier
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He would be subject to rehabilitation programs within the juvenile system
Arguments for adult court:
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The prosecutor emphasized Quiroga’s intelligence, dishonesty, and ability to ingratiate himself with authority figures
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He noted a lack of remorse and the calculated nature of the crime, which he described as “an adult, thought-out plan”
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The prosecutor suggested Quiroga displayed “psychopathic traits”
Arguments for juvenile court:
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The defense argued Quiroga’s actions were a product of adolescent addiction and trauma that may have disrupted his brain development
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They pointed to his spotless record in juvenile detention and his role as a leader in his unit
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A forensic psychologist testified that Quiroga was seeking “short-term rewards” rather than acting with adult sophistication
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ryder Quiroga?
Ryder Quiroga, also known by the graffiti tag “EBOK,” is the 21-year-old suspect accused of killing Maxwell Maltzman in January 2023. He was 17 at the time of the crime and was a classmate of the victim at Raoul Wallenberg High School in San Francisco.
What happened to Maxwell Maltzman?
Maxwell Maltzman, 18, was lured to an abandoned warehouse on the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard on January 6, 2023, where he was bludgeoned to death. His body was found 17 days later, floating in a flooded access shaft.
What does “EBOK” mean?
“EBOK” is the graffiti tag used by Ryder Quiroga. It was found spray-painted above Maltzman’s body with an arrow pointing down, leading investigators to identify Quiroga as a suspect.
Will Ryder Quiroga be tried as an adult?
A judge is currently deciding whether Quiroga will be tried as an adult or remain in the juvenile court system. A decision is expected soon.
What did Ryder Quiroga say to his ex-girlfriend about the crime?
According to prosecutors, Quiroga told his ex-girlfriend that he killed Maltzman because Maltzman had bragged about sexual assault, though these allegations have not been substantiated. He also took Maltzman’s belongings and expressed pride in how hard the body was to find.
Conclusion
The murder of Maxwell Maltzman is a tragedy that has left a family shattered and a community searching for answers. The case against Ryder Quiroga has revealed a dark and calculated crime—one that prosecutors argue demonstrates a level of sophistication that warrants adult prosecution. As the court prepares to decide Quiroga’s fate, the questions of justice, rehabilitation, and the capacity for change in young offenders hang in the balance. For Maltzman’s parents, the pain of losing their son is compounded by the knowledge that his killer may walk free before he turns 25.