 |
|
9NEWS, September 20, 2006 DOUGLAS COUNTY, CO - The sheriff's office said Wednesday morning they have not yet identified the female victim who was murdered by being dragged behind a vehicle but an arrest has been made. |
9NEWS reported earlier that the victim had been identified, but Douglas County Sheriff Dave Weaver stated they had not yet made a formal identification.
During the Wednesday morning press conference, Weaver also said the suspect, Jose Luis Rubi-Nava, 36 of Glendale, was being held on first degree murder charges. Weaver added that "a detainer has been placed" on Rubi-Nava from Immigration Customs Enforcement because he is believed to be in the country illegally.
He is currently being held at the Douglas County jail on a no-bond hold.
The suspect, who currently lives in Glendale, was arrested in Douglas County. Authorities plan to serve several search warrants Wednesday, one of which will be at his residence in Glendale.
"I would like to assure the residents of Surrey Ridge and Douglas County that this location was randomly selected," Weaver said.
9NEWS obtained Rubi-Nava's records through the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. The records show that Rubi-Nava was arrested on April 21 and charged with false identification, no driver's license and no proof of insurance.
Rubi-Nava will be advised in court at 2 p.m. Wednesday.
---
An autopsy of the woman was released Tuesday showing that she was still alive as she was being dragged behind a vehicle for more than a mile.
The Douglas County Coroner's office said Tuesday evening the unidentified woman died from head injuries and asphyxiation due to blunt force trauma and strangulation because she was dragged behind a vehicle.
Authorities said test results for drugs and alcohol could take another three weeks.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Douglas County Sheriff's office announced it had detained several witnesses in connection to the case.
---
The woman's body was found naked in a field beside Surrey Drive, near the Surrey Ridge Subdivision, early Monday morning.
Her face was unrecognizable because of the injuries she had sustained, police said.
A small memorial to the woman has been put up on the side of the road.
Investigators also found a photo of a couple during a search of the crime scene, but say they are not sure if the photo is related to the incident and do not have any reason to believe the woman in the photo is the victim.
Douglas County Sheriff Dave Weaver also says he wants to thank the citizens who came forward with information regarding the case.