GILROY, CA – The remains of a woman who had been reported missing in late July have been identified as those of Alyssa Salazar, a 33-year-old California resident. The Gilroy Police Department (GPD) confirmed the identification and announced the arrest of a suspect, Ivan Alfaro Escobedo, in relation to her death.
Salazar’s family reported her missing in late July, prompting an investigation by the GPD that began on August 10. The search led authorities to a property in Santa Clara County, where they discovered dismembered human remains. The Santa Clara County medical examiner and crime lab have since confirmed the remains to be those of Salazar.
The GPD identified the suspect as Escobedo, a 31-year-old resident of Gilroy. The police department’s statement revealed that Salazar and Escobedo had a previous romantic relationship. Escobedo was already in custody at the Santa Clara County Jail on charges related to a previous case involving Salazar. With the recent developments in the investigation, he now faces charges for Salazar’s murder.
Local news outlet KTVU reported that Escobedo was initially arrested in his car on August 30. At the time of his arrest, blood stains were found in the vehicle. A witness reportedly told police that Escobedo confessed to shooting Salazar, dismembering her body, and burning her remains.
In April, Salazar had filed a police report alleging that Escobedo, her boyfriend at the time, had raped and physically assaulted her. An arrest warrant for Escobedo was issued in May. Family members claimed in July that Escobedo had threatened to kill Salazar and her family if they pursued the April allegations.
Salazar, a mother of two, was last seen alive on July 26. She made a call from Escobedo’s car minutes after getting into the vehicle. Escobedo’s arraignment was scheduled for Wednesday, but he did not appear in court.