PHOENIX — Phoenix police have arrested the suspected killer of a woman who was found dead in west Phoenix earlier in September, the department said.
Just before 5 p.m. on Sept. 5, officers responded to a report of a dead body close to a shopping center near 75th Avenue and McDowell Road. When police arrived, they found 37-year-old Erika Gerardo with "obvious signs of trauma."
The Phoenix Fire Department responded and pronounced Gerardo deceased on scene.
On Wednesday, police arrested Leovigildo Barragan Eraujo on suspicion of killing Gerardo. He was booked and is facing a potential murder charge.
Authorities did not disclose if Barragan Eraujo knew Gerardo, or a potential motive for the killing.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call Silent Witness and provide an anonymous tip.
>>Editor's note: Police initially identified the deceased as a man, and issued a correction the following day.
Silent Witness:
Arizona's Silent Witness program allows people to send in tips and share information about crimes happening within their local communities.
The program shares unsolved felony case information in multiple ways, including TV, radio and social media.
Anyone who has information on a crime or recognizes a suspect described by the program is asked to call 480-948-6377, go to the program's website online or download the Silent Witness app to provide a tip. The identity of anyone who submits a tip is kept anonymous.
Calls to Silent Witness are answered 24/7 by a live person and submitted tips are accepted at all times. Submitted tips are then sent to the detective(s) in charge of the specific case.
Individuals who submit tips that lead to an arrest or indictment in the case can get a reward of up to $1,000.
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