Authorities have arrested a man in the death of a woman whose body was found near a suburban New Jersey golf course a few weeks ago — and they allege he went to great lengths after the killing to make it look like she was still alive.
Essex County prosecutors announced the arrest of 35-year-old Andres Calvachi-Paz in the death of 28-year-old Dayana Chisaguano Maleza, whose body was dumped on Walnut Street in Livingston on Oct. 7.
Officials say a worker at Cedar Hill Country Club discovered the body that morning after noticing a foul odor and tracking it into the woods.
Prosecutors allege Calvachi-Paz strangled Maleza after she tried to break up with him during an argument in the Newark apartment they shared. He allegedly put her body in his car and drove around for several hours before leaving it on Walnut Street. Afterward, prosecutors allege Calvachi-Paz engaged in an elaborate scheme to make it look like the victim was still alive, including sending pictures from her phone.
Calvachi-Paz is charged with first-degree murder, disturbing human remains and theft. Information on a possible attorney for him wasn’t immediately available Thursday.