Remains of Carmen Elsa Escalante Carrera were discovered in Georgia days after she disappeared with her boyfriend Jorge Javier Quintero.
Authorities charged a man with murder after discovering the remains of a Florida woman inside a suitcase transported across state lines.
Carmen Elsa Escalante Carrera, 29, was found dead inside a suitcase in Georgia on October 31, days after she vanished from her Florida home, and her boyfriend, 41-year-old Jorge Javier Quintero, has been charged with first-degree murder, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by PEOPLE from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
The inquiry began on Oct. 29 after Quintero allegedly sent “concerning” text messages to a friend, who discovered a “bathtub covered in blood” and a bloody knife in his Orlando, Fla., home, according to court filings.
According to the affidavit, authorities arrived at the location and discovered bloody garments and a bloody bathtub, as well as notes that appeared to be suicide notes.
The investigation eventually led authorities to another flat where the couple was about to move in, which also had bloody towels and blood marks on the walls.
However, authorities were unable to find Quintero or Carrera.
According to the complaint, on October 31, U.S. Marshals apprehended Quintero in Saraland, Alabama, and shot him during an alleged encounter. He was admitted to the hospital in critical but stable condition.
Later that day, Georgia authorities discovered a terrible scene on the road: a suitcase holding Carrera’s dismembered, naked body, a power cable around her neck, and rosary beads, according to the affidavit.
An autopsy later revealed that she died from ligature strangulation. According to the National Gun Violence Memorial, Carrera was a teacher.
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Quintero was arrested on Monday, November 25 and charged with first-degree murder and false use of personal identity information, according to online court documents.
The records did not show whether he had filed a plea. It is unclear whether Quintero has legal representation who can comment on his behalf.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week in over 170 languages.