In Custody: Suspect Believed to Have Killed Relative, Left Scene With Her Head

A suspect believed to have fled the scene of a murder with the head of the victim was taken into custody Saturday morning.

Santa Rosa police did not provide details except to say that Luis Gustao Aroya-Lopez was located and arrested in San Francisco.

Aroyo-Lopez, 24, was believed to have killed an adult female relative in Santa Rosa and left the scene with her head.

Police said that 2Aroyo-Lopez was recently released from a state prison after serving time for assault with a deadly weapon and weapons possession charges, KNTV reported. Those charges were unrelated to the murder victim, officials said.

Officers responded to a Santa Rosa home Thursday afternoon and found the woman dead inside but were unable to locate her head. Investigators believe Aroyo-Lopez walked south on Iroquois Street after leaving the home, but they don’t know where he went after that or if he has a vehicle.

He has other relatives in the area, they said.

Police did not provide other information about the victim.

Aroyo-Lopez is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall and about 150 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He has a large “420” and a marijuana leaf tattoo on the left side of his head.

He was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt or jacket, black pants, and white shoes.

Detectives said he should be considered armed and dangerous.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Santa Rosa police at 707-543-3590 or via the online tip line at www.srcity.org/CrimeTips.

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[Featured image: Luis Gustavo Aroyo-Lopez/Santa Rosa Police Department]