Suspect in 2016 San Diego killing captured after authorities got tip that he was teaching English in El Salvador

An Arizona man needed for the killing of his girlfriend in San Diego in 2016 was captured in El Salvador, the U.S. Marshals Service said. Raymond McLeod, 37, who was on the company’s 15 Most Wanted list, was taken into custody Monday afternoon by native regulation enforcement and confirmed his identification to accompanying U.S. authorities, the service stated in an announcement Tuesday.

Authorities had been tipped off that McLeod had been teaching English at a college in the town of Sonsonate.

McLeod, a U.S. Marine veteran, is accused of killing Krystal Mitchell, 30. Both McLeod and Mitchell lived in Phoenix however had been visiting buddies in San Diego on the time of her loss of life.

“This defendant’s brazen attempt to evade justice is over and the work to hold him accountable in a court of law for the murder of Krystal Mitchell can now begin,” San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a statement.

On June 10, 2016, the buddy discovered Mitchell not respiration and paramedics pronounced her useless. Homicide detectives discovered indicators of a wrestle.

“They determined Mitchell was last seen alive with her boyfriend McLeod,” the Marshals Service assertion stated.

The San Diego County district legal professional’s workplace charged McLeod with homicide, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

The Marshals Service subsequently led the manhunt for McLeod, who they believed fled by means of Mexico to Central America. He was reported to have been in Guatemala in 2017 and Belize in 2018.

A $50,000 reward was provided for information resulting in his seize, and he was added to the 15 Most Wanted listing.

Authorities stated McLeod shall be deported from El Salvador to San Diego to face costs. It was not instantly identified if he had an legal professional who may touch upon the allegations.

“It is our sincere hope that his capture brings some sense of relief to Krystal Mitchell’s family, especially her mother, Josephine Wentzel, who has worked so diligently with law enforcement these past years to see this day of justice arrive,” U.S. Marshals Director Ronald Davis stated in the assertion.