Broward Sheriff's Office detectives believe they've solved Yalitza Garcia's murder. The 24-year-old Deerfield Beach woman disappeared July 2, 2009, from an apartment she used to share with her boyfriend, Jason Allen, 32, who now lives Plant City.
According to friends and neighbors interviewed by detectives, Allen and Garcia had a "turbulent" relationship, which was particularly strained at the time of her appearance because Garcia had recently decided to move out of their home. From the BSO release:
An extensive examination by BSO crime scene detectives revealed a significant amount of blood in one of the rooms of Garcia's apartment.
At the BSO Crime Lab investigators confirmed the blood was from Garcia. Homicide detectives went door-to-door seeking witnesses and were told about Garcia and Allen's turbulent relationship. Homicide detectives also learned that Garcia and Allen had heated arguments about the custody of their son. Prior to Garcia's disappearance, she told Allen she wanted to be the primary caretaker of their son and he responded by telling Garcia she would never take his son. Detectives believe Allen followed through on his threat and killed Garcia in her apartment. Her body has not been recovered.Following a meeting this week with the Broward State Attorney's Office in which BSO detectives presented their evidence, a warrant was issued for Allen's arrest. He was booked Wednesday on murder charges.
