PHOENIX — After five days of searching, Phoenix police said they have found the body of a 37-year-old mother of six who went missing over the weekend.
The Phoenix Police Department said investigators found the remains of Irene Luevano around 10 a.m. in a remote area of La Paz County near Hovatter Road and Interstate 10, approximately 100 miles from where she was last seen. Officials said she had obvious signs of trauma.
In a press conference Thursday, Phoenix police said this is not the outcome they were hoping for and thanked the public for their outpouring of support.
"At least we have relief that they found her already, but we're hurting so much," Luevano's sister said.
Luevano's family last heard from her on Sunday around 4 a.m., when she called and told them her boyfriend, Jorge Quintero Lara, had stabbed her in the neck. She had not been seen or heard from since.
Quintero Lara was located and taken to the hospital with what appeared to be self-inflicted stab wounds. He was later booked into jail on two forgery charges unrelated to Luevano's disappearance.
Phoenix police said he will now be facing murder charges in relation to Luevano's death.
In court records, Quintero Lara admitted to working for the Sinaloa Cartel, selling and transporting illegal drugs to Arizona.
Investigators gathered information from his cell phone that showed he was going to Mexico before heading back to Phoenix when he was detained at a hospital.
"I just want to tell him that why did he do this to my sister... because he left the family suffering, he left my nephews, my nieces, all of us. I just want him to pay for what he did," said Luevano's sister.
A large group of friends and volunteers joined Luevano’s family Wednesday to search for clues that could lead to her whereabouts.
The group focused their search efforts south of 107th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road, where police found the missing woman’s car parked at a Filiberto’s on Tuesday.
What we know about Irene Luevano’s disappearance
Saturday
Luevano was out with her boyfriend, Quintero Lara, at the Silverado Canta Bar in West Phoenix near 27th Avenue and Camelback Road, family and police said.
Sunday
At 4 a.m., Luevano called her family to tell them her boyfriend had stabbed her in the neck. The family called the police following her call.
At 9:58 a.m., Luevano’s second-oldest daughter said she spoke with Quintero Lara. After asking him where her mother was, she said he replied, “I’m taking her to the hospital.”
At 10:45 a.m., an exclusive video obtained by 12 News showed Luevano’s missing car, a Gray 2007 Chevy Impala, pull up to Filiberto’s on 107th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road.
At 6:15 p.m., Phoenix police put out a missing adult alert for Luevano.
At 6:45 p.m., Quintero Lara was located at a Phoenix hospital, with what appeared to be self-inflicted stab wounds.
Tuesday
Luevano’s vehicle was located by police parked at the Filiberto’s in Avondale. The family reported it had blood inside, but no sign of the single mother.
Wednesday
A large group of friends and volunteers joined Irene’s family to search for clues that could lead to her whereabouts.
Thursday
Around 10 a.m., police found Luevano's body in a remote area of La Paz County near Hovatter Road and I-10.
How you can help the family
A GoFundMe account has been set up for the family to help with funeral expenses. If you would like to help, you can donate here.
Domestic violence resources
If you or anyone you know is in a domestic violence situation help is available. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233 (SAFE).
The Arizona Sexual and Domestic Violence Hotline is 602-279-2980 or text 520-720-3383.
For help at New Life Domestic Violence in Arizona, call 623-932-4404
Go here for more local resources and shelters.
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