Sara Carillo (L), Reyna Hernandez (R).Photo:Fox 13 Seattle/YouTube, Renton Police Department, WA/Facebook
Fox 13 Seattle/YouTube, Renton Police Department, WA/Facebook
An American missing woman found tortured and killed in Mexico was reportedly going home to speak with her boyfriend of 30 years before she disappeared, her family says.
Reyna Hernandez, 54, was last seen on Feb. 26 in Renton, Wash. before being found dead in a cemetery in Mexicali, Mexico, on March 8, authorities said Tuesday.
Her sister, Sara Carillo, says the last time she spoke with Hernandez was on Feb. 24 and she “sounded happy,” according toFOX 13.
Hernandez, a hair salon owner, had gone dancing that evening, Carillo told the outlet, and went to church the next day.
On Feb. 26, she saw her friends and told them she was going to speak with her boyfriend – a man who had been her partner for 30 years, Carillo says. After that, her phone started going unanswered.
Hernandez’s clients told Carillo that before she disappeared, she had shown up to the salon with a black eye, according to her interview with the outlet.
A spokesperson for the Renton Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that they are investigating Hernandez’s killing as a “domestic violence crime.”
“We believe there was a relationship between Ms. Hernandez and the person in custody,” the department’s spokesperson said.
Reyna Hernandez.Renton Police Department/Facebook
Renton Police Department/Facebook
Nearly ten days later, Renton police learned about an “unidentified body” found in Mexicali and suspected it might be that of Hernandez, according to Tuesday’s statement.
She was found wrapped in a blanket, with her hands and feet bound, showing signs of torture, authorities said,Fox 13reported previously.
Police provided information to Mexican authorities who were then able to determine that the body belonged to Hernandez.
Family mourns Renton woman found dead in Mexico | FOX 13 Seattle
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
Renton police say they are “working closely” with Mexicali authorities and U.S. Federal officials in their investigation.
If they learn the homicide took place on U.S. soil, police note that they will seek extradition for the suspect to be charged in the relevant jurisdiction.
A Renton police spokesperson told PEOPLE regardless of the location of the killing, they will be pursuing kidnapping charges against the offender.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
source: people.com
