Remains of Missing Calif. Woman Found, Former Boyfriend Faces Murder Charges

The 33-year-old woman went missing in late July after reporting in April that her then-boyfriend, Ivan Alfaro Escobedo, had raped and assaulted her

A California woman’s dismembered remains have been discovered and identified as missing woman Alyssa Salazar and a suspect, Ivan Alfaro Escobedo, has been arrested in connection with her death, police say.

In a statement from Gilroy Police Department (GPD) on Wednesday, authorities said that Salazar, 33, was reported missing by her family in late July, and an investigation was launched by GPD on Aug. 10.

Sgt. Lamonte Toney, public information officer for the Gilroy Police Department, tells PEOPLE that a search of a property in Santa Clara County led authorities to discover dismembered human remains, which have now been officially confirmed to be those of Salazar by the Santa Clara County medical examiner and crime lab.

According to the GPD statement, authorities "were able to identify the suspect as ... Escobedo, a 31-year-old Gilroy resident." Police also said that Salazar and Escobedo "had a prior dating relationship."

"Escobedo is already in custody at the Santa Clara County Jail on charges related to a previous case involving the victim," the statement reads. "With the new developments from this investigation, he will now face charges for the murder of Alyssa Salazar."

Toney confirms to PEOPLE that Escobedo is now charged with murder.

A report from a local news outlet, KTVU, said that Escobedo was initially arrested in his car on Aug. 30 and that at the time, stains were discovered within the car, which later testing confirmed was blood.

Related: Colorado Mom's Dismembered Remains Found in Oklahoma, Ex Arrested

Toney tells PEOPLE that another witness had allegedly told police that the suspect admitted to them that he shot Salazar, cut up her body and then burned her remains.

Toney tells PEOPLE in April, Salazar had filed a police report claiming that Escobedo, who was her boyfriend at the time, had raped and physically assaulted her. An arrest warrant for Escobedo was then issued in May.

According to documents seen by The Mercury News, in July, family members claimed that Escobedo had threatened to kill Salazar and her family if they pursued the April claims.

The Mercury News, KTVU and KSBW 8 all reported that Salazar was last seen or heard from alive on July 26. According to KSBW 8, the victim — a mother of two — made a call on that date from Escobedo's car, minutes after entering his vehicle.

Related: Human Remains Found Nearly 3 Decades Ago Identified as Man Who Disappeared After Leaving for a Walk

Escobedo's arraignment was scheduled for Wednesday, however, multiple outlets reported that he did not attend court.

"May God never have your daughters run into a man like you. You're a pig," the victim's sister Jessica Salazar said outside the court on Wednesday, per KTVU. "Alyssa will come to you every night in your dreams, and I hope you will see her every time you look at me and my sister. I hope you see her face," she continued.

Anyone with information for investigators can contact Gilroy police Detective Jason Greathead at 408-846-0373 or leave an anonymous tip at 408-846-0330.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

• With additional reporting by GREG HANLON

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