Long Beach, CA — A man accused of killing the mother of his children in Long Beach and then smuggling her body into Mexico has been taken into custody in Baja California, according to Mexican prosecutors. The victim was later identified as Aracely Romero Acevedo by her 26-year-old son, Erik Almanza, in an interview with ABC7.
Authorities allege that the suspect killed Romero in California before driving across the border to Tijuana and attempting to hide her body in La Paz, where she was found dead inside a vehicle.
Discovery of the Victim in Baja California
According to the Baja California State Attorney General’s Office, a report was received around 8:30 p.m. Saturday about a deceased woman inside a car parked in the El Centenario district of La Paz.
Emergency responders found the woman unresponsive in the passenger seat with visible signs of violence, including indications of possible strangulation.
A man identified only as “Erik N.”, described as the victim’s romantic partner, was taken into custody at the scene. Prosecutors believe he committed the crime in Long Beach and then crossed the border to conceal the body.
“Although the crime was committed on U.S. soil, the State Attorney General’s Office will continue with the corresponding legal actions, as the man has an open investigation file in Tijuana,” Mexican authorities said in a statement.
The case is being investigated jointly by Long Beach police, the FBI, and Mexican law enforcement, as officials determine the exact location of the killing.
Son Says Father Confessed Over the Phone
In an interview with ABC7, Romero’s son Erik Almanza said his father called him around 8 p.m. Saturday, admitting that he had killed his mother and was already in Tijuana.
“He said he would hide her remains and turn himself in to authorities,” Almanza told ABC7.
Almanza said his parents had argued earlier that afternoon before his mother drove his father to work around 3 p.m. Hours later, she was dead.
Cross-Border Investigation
Mexican prosecutors said the suspect had been living illegally in the United States for more than 20 years. They confirmed coordination with Long Beach authorities to gather additional information that could help clarify the events leading to Romero’s death.
Meetings were also held with FBI agents and Los Angeles Police Department officials to exchange details and track the cross-border movements of the suspect.
“The State Attorney General’s Office is maintaining contact with U.S. authorities to ensure the case proceeds under both nations’ legal frameworks,” officials said.
Remembering Aracely Romero Acevedo
Romero, originally from Tijuana, moved to the United States years ago and graduated from a trade school, where she trained in medical billing before later working in tax preparation. Her family described her as a devoted mother who cared deeply for her five children, aged 16 to 26.
“She always helped us through life’s ups and downs,” Almanza said. “She cared about everyone — her family was her world.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help cover funeral costs and support Romero’s children as they navigate this tragedy.
Ongoing Legal Action
The suspect, identified in Mexican reports as “Erik N.”, remains in custody as investigators from both sides of the border work to determine the timeline and jurisdiction of the crime.
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