FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — Authorities confirmed to Action News, the body found in rural Fresno County is that of 50-year-old Isabel Lucas-Velasco.
“She gets along with everybody. She’s loving. Everybody knew her, she liked to party and was always happy,” says Mayra Perez, the victim’s daughter.
A weeks-long investigation ended in tragedy for authorities after Lucas Velasco was last seen at a job site in rural Arroyo Grande on September 12.
The next day, on September 13, she was reported missing, and it would be weeks until the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office shared information about seizing two trucks for evidence.
On Saturday, investigators, with the help of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, were led to an area along Highway 198 west of Coalinga. Following an extensive search, Lucas Velasco’s body was found.
And on Monday, authorities announced the arrest of her ex-boyfriend, 45-year-old Alejandro Soriano-Ortiz and his brother, 40-year-old Celestino.
RELATED: 2 men arrested in connection to death of missing Coalinga mother, deputies say
Alejandro is charged with murder, and his brother accessory.
The two brothers are accused of also setting the victim’s car on fire then filing a false insurance claim.
With the case now in court, ABC30 Legal Analyst Tony Capozzi says there are still many unanswered questions about the relationship between the victim and alleged killer.
“How long have they been apart? Have they been seen together before this happened? Those are factors that the defense needs to find out before this case would go any further,” says Capozzi.
The six-page complaint states the alleged murder involved great violence and bodily harm, with a quote ‘high degree of cruelty.’
It also states the defendant was armed with a weapon and characterizes the victim as vulnerable.
It also alleges the defendant planned the crime, threatened witnesses, and attempted to involve more people, including a minor.
Action News has learned the murder took place in San Louis Obispo County, but the body was found in Fresno County, separate from the burned car also located near Coalinga.
Looking closer at the charges, Capozzi says the brother could face a notably lesser sentence which may imply he is cooperating with authorities.
“It’s pretty clear in this case that one of the brothers is cooperating and it seems pretty clear it’s the brother who’s an accessory that helped at this particular case,” says Capozzi.
Heartache for the family that is now planning a funeral. Lucas Velasco’s grandchildren left, asking where their grandmother went.
“My grandma, are we going to my grandma’s house? And I would tell her no, she’s not there. She’s working,” says Perez.
Action News was told that this investigation was rolled out quickly due in large part to the help of electronic and digital forensics.
Both brothers did appear in court on Wednesday, but their arraignment was continued until later this month as their defense requested to review additional evidence.
They remain in custody without bail.
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