AURORA | A body found Monday afternoon in the front yard of a home on Paris Street appears to be that of a 23-year-old woman who disappeared from a nearby home Sunday, police said.
A autopsy scheduled for Tuesday afternoon will confirm who the woman is and how she died, but Aurora police spokesman Officer Frank Fania said based on the clothes and physical description, the body appears to be that of Bertha Garcia.
Police continued to search Tuesday for Garcia’s ex-boyfriend, German Medina, 32, who investigators initially believed may have kidnapped Garcia.
“Obviously, more so than ever, we would love to talk to him,” Fania said.
Garcia was last seen shortly after midnight Sunday when she said goodbye to her friend in front of her home at 1935 Paris St.
The body was found around 4:30 p.m. Monday under a bush at Garcia’s neighbor’s house, Fania said. Police didn’t receive any reports of a struggle or of gunshots that night near Garcia’s home, Fania said.
Police said that earlier Saturday night, Medina had gone to his brother’s house and asked to borrow a car and a gun. Medina’s brother refused to give him a gun, police said, but he let him borrow a 1997 Lexus two-door.
Investigators believe Medina is wearing a black leather coat. He is 5-feet, 8-inches tall, weighs 140 pounds and has black hair, brown eyes, and a thin beard.
The Lexus has Colorado license plate 339-WDJ.
Fania said Medina is from Mexico and is living in the country illegally, a fact that makes investigators particularly concerned that he may have fled.
According to Colorado Bureau of Investigation records, Medina has never been arrested in Colorado.
Police are asking anyone with information about Garcia or Medina to call Detective Tom Sobieski at 303-739-6710 or call 911. Callers can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867). Tipsters can earn a reward of up to $2,000.