Two Central Valley men have been arrested in connection with the death of a woman who was reported missing last month, officials announced.
Isabel Lucas Velasco, according to investigators at San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Officewas reported missing on September 13 after being last seen at a work site in rural Arroyo Grande the previous day.
Her whereabouts remained a mystery until nearly a month later, when, on October 11, search and rescue teams found a body believed to be the victim off Highway 198, west of Coalinga, a town just over 100 miles from where her remains were allegedly found, KTLA’s sister station. KSEE/KGPE reported.
A 45-year-old man, believed to be Velasco’s ex-boyfriend, Alejandro Soriano Ortiz of Coalinga and his brother, 40-year-old Celestino Soriano Ortiz, a Santa Maria resident, have since been arrested in connection with her disappearance and murder.
Investigators say Alejandro has been booked on one count of murder and one count of arson, where he is accused of setting Velasco’s car on fire.
His brother was booked for accessory to murder.
Authorities did not provide any details about the alleged murder, nor did they say whether the motive behind Velasco’s disappearance and death was known.
Velasco’s body was turned over to the San Luis Obispo County Coroner’s Office for formal identification.
The case remains active, and investigators ask anyone with information about the investigation to contact the San Luis Obispo County Police Department at 805-781-4500.