A man convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend in southern San Diego County, whose body remains missing since her disappearance last summer, was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years to life in state prison.

Eduardo Magana, 48, was found guilty by a Chula Vista jury of second-degree murder for the slaying of 33-year-old Alexis Berenice Guadarrama Orozco.

Prosecutors say Guadarrama Orozco met with Magana at the Star Motel in Otay Mesa on July 15, after which all communication between her and her loved ones ceased.

Magana was “later seen placing a large, heavy object in the trunk of his car in the early morning hours of July 16,” according to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. He was arrested three days later in Los Angeles County.

Guadarrama Orozco’s sister, Isabel Cisneros, read statements from several of the victim’s loved ones during Magana’s sentencing hearing. Each of the statements included pleas for Magana to reveal the location of Guadarrama Orozco’s body.

“He did not allow me to mourn her,” Cisneros said, while reading her own statement. “He did not allow us to say goodbye to her.”

The victim’s family has been reaching out on social media, hanging flyers and with digging tools searched in several remote areas. The San Diego Police Department says investigators have searched San Diego, Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. Still no sign of Guadarrama Orozco.

Prior to imposing the 15-years-to-life prison term, the maximum allowed under the law, Superior Court Judge Timothy Walsh described Magana’s actions as “horrific, calculated, (and) perverse.”

The judge said Magana not only “senselessly” took the victim’s life, but also “caused extensive suffering to others and denied them the closure they deserve.”

Last month, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office put out a call to the public for any information that could lead to the discovery of Guadarrama Orozco’s whereabouts.

“While this killer is being held accountable for his crime and justice is being delivered, Alexis Berenice’s family and friends also deserve the closure of knowing her remains can be laid to rest,” District Attorney Summer Stephan said.

Until Guadarrama Orozco is found, family and friends say they aren’t giving up on the possibility, however slight, that she is still alive. If she is dead, they want to give her a proper burial, lay her memory to rest, and allow themselves some peace of mind.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call the San Diego Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 888-580-8477. Information on sending web or mobile app tips can be found at www.sdcrimestoppers.org.