Iowa Department of Public Safety
Eugene T. Meyer, Commissioner
215 East 7th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Telephone Number: (515) 725-6182
Facsimile Number: (515) 725-6195

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John F. Quinn, Director

For immediate release: Courtney Greene, Bureau Chief
Friday, September 4, 2009 Public Information Bureau
Des Moines, Iowa (515) 725-6196

LAW ENFORCEMENT IDENTIFIES SUSPECT
IN DOW CITY DEATH INVESTIGATION

 

Crawford County, IOWA --- This week, an arrest warrant was issued for 20 year old Luis Angel Trujillo-Mendez for Murder in the First Degree, for killing 27 year old Lorenzo Nambo Garcia.

“This has been a long, but thorough investigation.  After all the evidence was reviewed, law enforcement sought and obtained an arrested warrant for Luis Trujillo,” commented Crawford County Sheriff James Steinkuehler.

On or about January 5th, 2009, Lorenzo Nambo Garcia disappeared from his residence at 802 13th Avenue South in Denison, Iowa.  On this date, a witness reported seeing Luis Trujillo, an acquaintance of the victim, drive by the residence on at least 2 occasions.  The witness left the area on personal business and never saw the victim again. 

Luis Trujillo

Luis Angel Trujillo-Mendez

More than a month later on February 24, 2009 Garcia’s body was found in rural Dow City, Iowa by passersby.  An autopsy was performed and the State Medical Examiner determined Garcia had died from multiple gun shot wounds.  The manner of death was declared homicide.  Through the course of the investigation, Trujillo was identified as a suspect.  A search warrant was executed on his residence and several items, including a firearm, ammunition and Garcia’s wallet, were recovered.

Trujillo is currently in custody in Oklahoma and will be transported back to Iowa.  At that time Trujillo will officially be arrested and charged with Murder in the First Degree.

The successful conclusion of this investigation could not have been possible without the efforts of the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Denison Police Department, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Crawford County Attorney’s Office, Iowa Attorney General’s Office, Drug Enforcement Agency, Iowa State Patrol, Carroll Police Department, United States Attorney’s Office and Stanislaus County California Sheriff's Office.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED A CRIMINAL CHARGE IS MERELY AN ACCUSATION AND THE SUSPECT IS PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL AND UNLESS PROVEN GUILTY. 

 

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