Volusia County Man Charged With Murder Of Girlfriend Who Disappeared in '16

Authorities say a Volusia County man is facing charges in the death of a Deltona woman who disappeared in 2016.  

According to WFTV-TV in Orlando, Orlando Cruz-Romero, now 49, of Puerto Rico, is charged with second-degree murder.  

Investigators say he killed his ex-girlfriend, then 40-year-old Maria Marquez-Rivera, in 2016.  

Marquez-Rivera disappeared from Deltona in October of that year. Her daughter reported her disappearance. According to authorities, her remains were found near Ormond Beach a month later.  

Detectives learned Cruz-Romero had a history of violence toward the victim, had previously served time in Puerto Rico on homicide charges, and was wanted in Puerto Rico for violating his probation by leaving the island. According to authorities, they found blood inside and outside of Cruz-Romero's apartment, along with evidence of a clean-up.

Cruz-Romero is now in federal custody in Puerto Rico.  

Investigators say he was previously sentenced to two and half years in prison on identity theft charges stemming from the investigation into Marquez-Rivera's death.


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