Authorities asked for help Thursday in finding a man suspected of killing a Santa Barbara County resident whose body was found in San Ysidro Fourth of July.
German Luna Salazar, 44, allegedly bludgeoned Leyva Elizabeth Oregel Garcia, 32, to death and left her body in a parked van in the 4400 block of Camino De La Plaza, according to the San Diego Police Department.
The site, near the Las Américas Premium Outlets mall, is just north of the Tijuana River on the US-Mexico border. A security guard discovered Oregel shortly before 12:30 a.m. Tuesday.
After determining that the victim had died of blunt-force injuries, the county Office of the Medical Examiner ruled her death a homicide. Police identified her as Luna’s wife, but media reports indicate they had separated or divorced.
Oregel, a mother of two, had been reported missing on July 2 in her hometown of Guadalupe, a community about 20 miles south of San Luis Obispo, according to police.
“Detectives have learned that this appears to be a tragic case of domestic violence in which … Salazar has been identified as the suspect,” Lt. Steve Shebloski said.
The last known sighting of Luna was in the area where the body was found. He used to leave the surroundings on foot. Investigators believe it may have headed south and entered Mexico.
“San Diego police homicide detectives are currently working with investigators from the Guadalupe Police Department and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office to determine the circumstances surrounding (the victim’s) disappearance … and how it was found in San Diego,” Shebloski said.
Additionally, media reports indicated that the suspect is also known as Germán Armando Luna.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
– City News Service
