LONG BEACH, CA — A Long Beach man was arrested on suspicion of killing his partner — the mother of his five children — and driving to Mexico with her body.
Authorities suspect the woman was killed on Nov. 8, possibly in Long Beach, according to the Long Beach Police Department.
“The preliminary investigation indicates that a male adult suspect and female adult victim were involved in a domestic dispute while inside of a vehicle in the city of Long Beach,” police said in a statement.
The man — Erik Alcantar, 44, of Long Beach — is accused of killing his girlfriend — Aracely Romero, 45, of Long Beach — during the dispute. He then drove to Tijuana, Mexico with her body in the vehicle, according to the LBPD.
The investigation began after Alcantar’s mother called Mexican authorities to report that her son killed Romero, NBC 4 reported, citing Baja California prosecutor Miguel Angel Gaxiola.
“Looking at the records, this appears to be what we have; this could be the second or third similar case where someone crosses the border with a deceased person and tries to hide it in Tijuana,” Gaxiola said. “Right now, we are exchanging information to try to locate the scene of the crime that occurred there in Long Beach.”
Long Beach police say Alcantar turned himself in to Mexican authorities, who found Romero’s body in the vehicle.
The couple share five children between the ages of 16 and 26, according to the station.
NBC 4 reported that their eldest son told the station that the Alcantar called his children as he was driving and confessed to the killing.
Alcantar struggled with mental health issues for years, the son told NBC 4.
The LBPD presented the case to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office for filing consideration on Nov. 11.
If you or someone you know needs support, shelter or other services, the LA County Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached 24/7 at 800-978-3600. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached 24/7 at 800-799-7233.