Long Beach, CA – A California man has been arrested in Mexico for allegedly attempting to smuggle his partner’s deceased body across the U.S.-Mexico border. Erick Alcantar Almanza, 44, is accused of murdering Aracely Romero, with whom he shared five children.
Reports indicate that Almanza fled to Mexico following the incident. It was revealed through an interview that the couple’s oldest son claimed Almanza confessed to the crime while driving to the border with Romero’s body in the passenger seat.
Family members last saw Romero on Friday. Almanza’s mother informed Mexican authorities about the alleged murder, prompting an investigation into the incident believed to have occurred in Long Beach.
Miguel Angel Gaxiola, a prosecutor in Baja California, stated that information was being exchanged to locate the crime scene. The son mentioned that his father had been dealing with mental illness for several years.
Almanza was apprehended on Sunday in relation to Romero’s death. He reported to detectives that an argument occurred before the alleged killing, although the motive and cause of death remain unclear.