Missing woman case now considered a homicide
Alejandro SorianoOrtiz, 45, of Coalinga, (left) was arrested for one count of murder and one count of arson related to the burning of the victim’s vehicle. His brother, Celestino SorianoOrtiz, 40, of Santa Maria, was arrested as an accessory to murder and for arson.
Body believed to be LucasVelasco was found near Coalinga
– The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office announced arrests in connection with the disappearance and death of Isabel LucasVelasco, 50, of Coalinga.
LucasVelasco was reported missing on Sept. 13. During the initial investigation, deputies determined she was last seen at a job site in rural Arroyo Grande on Sept. 12.
On Oct. 11, the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office and Fresno County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue teams, along with detectives, conducted a search along Highway 198 west of Coalinga. During the search, a body believed to be LucasVelasco was found. The remains were turned over to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office for confirmation of identification.
Isabel LucasVelasco.
The case is now considered a homicide. Two men have been arrested in connection with the incident. Alejandro SorianoOrtiz, 45, of Coalinga, was arrested for one count of murder and one count of arson related to the burning of the victim’s vehicle. His brother, Celestino SorianoOrtiz, 40, of Santa Maria, was arrested as an accessory to murder and for arson.
“We want to thank the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office for their valuable assistance,” Sheriff Parkinson said. “I also want to highlight the amazing work of our Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit (MCU), Special Victim’s Unit (SVU), Special Operations Unit (SOU), and the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Unit for their tireless dedication to solving this case and giving some closure to Isabel’s family.”
Alejandro SorianoOrtiz is believed to be LucasVelasco’s former boyfriend. The investigation remains active, and no further information is available at this time.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at (805) 781-4500.
