Authorities asked for help Thursday to find a man suspected of killing a Santa Barbara County resident whose body was found in San Ysidro on the Fourth of July.
German Luna Salazar, 44, allegedly bludgeoned Leyva Elizabeth Oregel Garcia, 32, to death and left her body in a parked SUV in the 4400 block of Camino De La Plaza, according to the San Diego Police Department.
The site, near Las Americas Premium Outlets mall, is just north of the Tijuana River, above the U.S.-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 Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death a homicide. Police identified her as Luna’s wife, but media reports indicate that they had separated or divorced.
Oregel, a mother of two, had been reported missing July 2 in her hometown of Guadalupe, a community about 20 miles south of San Luis Obispo, according to police.
“Detectives have learned 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 was leaving the vicinity on foot. Investigators believe he may have headed south and entered Mexico.
“San Diego police homicide detectives are currently working with investigators from the Guadalupe Police Department and Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office to determine the circumstances surrounding (the victim’s) disappearance … and how she was found in San Diego,” Shebloski said.
In addition, media reports indicated the suspect is also known as German Armando Luna.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call San Diego County Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Tipsters may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
– City News Service
