HOMESTEAD, FLA. (WSVN) - Authorities in Seminole County have unveiled new details in the disturbing case of a South Florida woman who was carjacked while visiting Central Florida, which ultimately resulted in her tragic death.
The incident, which occurred on April 11 in Winter Springs, took a deadly turn when 31-year-old Katherine Altagracia Guerrero de Aguasvivas, of Homestead, was found dead following the carjacking.
Authorities said they found what they believe was her burning SUV with her body inside less than two hours later in a rural area of Osceola County, just south of Orlando. Near the vehicle, authorities said, they found 12 shell casings of 10 mm rounds.
On Friday afternoon, officials with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office said that a man was taken into custody. He was identified as 28-year-old Jordanish Torres-Garcia.
SCSO said Torres-Garcia was detained after authorities linked him to the purchase of the green Acura sedan involved in the carjacking.
Investigators said they made the connection after the suspect posted a picture on social media wearing the same outfit he was seen wearing during the crime.
“I’m identifying him as a person of interest because, when it comes to legal cases, that’s probably the safest thing to call him,” Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said. “But his number is matching the phone number that was given with the person who purchased the green Acura and, of course, the photograph looks to me as identical.”
Despite Torres-Garcia’s detainment, the search for suspects continues, with police seeking at least one other person believed to be involved in the carjacking.
Investigators said cellphone records show Giovany Joel Crespo Hernandez was the last person to be in contact with Guerrero before she was carjacked.
Police said that when they searched Hernandez’s house, they found fentanyl, but he was not there.
What police still do not know is why Guerrero was in Seminole County or what her relationship with the persons of interest are.
SCSO also confirmed that Francisco Estrella, a deputy with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, is now accused of illegally interfering in the carjacking homicide investigation in Seminole County. The 33-year-old, who bonded out Thursday, is accused of contacting the lead investigator in this case in Seminole County and pretending to be a cousin of the victims.
Estrella’s attorney said the deputy was never was involved in the carjacking or murder; he was only trying to help a family friend.
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