Queens Man Charged in Slaying of His Girlfriend
A Queens man was charged with murder in the death of his live-in girlfriend, the latest twist in a weeklong mystery that began when the slain woman’s 4-year-old daughter was found wandering barefoot on a city street.
Cesar Ascarrunz, 32, was charged two days after he was picked up by investigators, police said. Authorities were still searching for 26-year-old Monica Lozada-Rivaineira’s remains.
Police were led to Ascarrunz by a dozen tips that came in from the public after 4-year-old Valery Lozada appeared on television Thursday. Police ultimately used records from Valery’s day-care center to figure out her mother’s identity.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
