Crime Junkie is examining the murder of Lizzbeth Aleman-Popoca, who was killed by her long-term boyfriend, Jonnathan Jara-Aucapina, at their home in East Haven, Connecticut.
Aleman-Popoca was reported missing by her boyfriend and other family members on July 3, 2020.
It later became clear that Jara-Aucapina had asphyxiated Aleman-Popoca, the mother of their seven-year-old daughter, and buried her in a shallow grave behind a restaurant in nearby Branford, CT.
Detectives believe Aleman-Popoca was killed sometime during the night on July 1/2. Jara-Aucapina was then spotted in the early hours of the morning purchasing a hoe and shovel at the Home Depot in East Haven before driving out to the restaurant in the victim’s Lexus.
The cops located Aleman-Popoca’s remains in a grave behind a couple of restaurant dumpsters. A state police cadaver dog had picked up the scent in Aleman-Popoca’s car and behind the dumpsters.
An autopsy ruled the death a homicide by homicidal asphyxia.
Jonnathan Jara-Aucapina tried to cover up Lizzbeth Aleman-Popoca murder
In the meantime, Jara-Aucapina told his girlfriend’s family that she had gone to Mexico to marry someone to “fix her papers” but got held up at the US border because of the missing persons report.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelThe killer told detectives that Aleman-Popoca had been in bed when he left for work early in the morning. He claimed their daughter called him later in the day, stating that her mom was not home. The cops called out his lies and arrested him on a murder charge.
The police had surveillance footage of the killer driving the Lexus, and his cellphone data also placed him near the restaurant on the night of the murder.
Jara-Aucapina had also attempted to sell the Lexus just a few hours after the killing.
Jonnathan Jara-Aucapina imprisoned for 25 years for killing Lizzbeth Aleman-Popoca
In February 2024, Jara-Aucapina finally pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 25 years. He is currently incarcerated at the MacDougall-Walker Correctional Institution in Suffield, CT.
At the time, New Haven Judicial District State’s Attorney John P. Doyle wrote in a statement, “I would like to extend my condolences to the friends and family of Ms. Aleman-Popoca who have endured such an unimaginable loss due to this senseless crime. I also would like to express my gratitude to the East Haven Police Department, the Connecticut State Police, and the FBI for their investigative efforts in this case.”
MURDERED: Lizzbeth Aleman-Popoca is available to download now at Crime Junkie.