The 33-year-old Alyssa Salazar's remains were discovered on August 10, in Santa Clara County. The Gilroy Police Department (GPD) confirmed last night that these remains belonged to the missing woman, per the authority's statement.
Salazar went missing in late July, leading her family to report her absence to law enforcement. A subsequent investigation led to the search of a property in Santa Clara County, resulting in the tragic discovery of her remains, later positively identified by the GPD.
Working alongside the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Crime Laboratory and the Office of the Medical Examiner-Coroner, the GPD Crime Scene Investigators worked tirelessly. The preliminary investigation suggested that this was not a mere disappearance, but homicide with a prime suspect that was known to the victim.
Identification of the remains led detectives to a 31-year-old Gilroy resident, Iban Alfaro Escobedo. He had a previous romantic involvement with Salazar. Escobedo is currently in custody at the Santa Clara County Jail on charges related to a previous case involving Salazar. The ongoing investigation has added murder charges to his existing ones, states the GPD report.
As the investigation unfolds further, the GPD, working with the District Attorney’s Office, is determined to find the complete truth. They encourage anyone with relevant information to contact Gilroy Police Detective Jason Greathead at (408) 846-0373 or anonymously via the tip line at (408) 846-0330.
