Alabama: An Alabama woman, Joselina Elizabeth Lopez, 26, has been arrested and charged with the brutal murder of her lover, Benito Morales Guzman, 41, in late August. Authorities allege that Lopez shot Guzman to death before dismembering his body with a chainsaw and attempting to dispose of the remains in trash bags.
Gruesome Discovery Leads to Arrest
The horrific crime came to light after Guzman’s employer reported him missing, which led deputies to Guzman’s home in the Fadette area. On August 27, responding officers from the Geneva County Sheriff’s Office noticed a foul odor coming from Lopez’s Toyota Corolla, parked at the crime scene. Inside the vehicle, they found 10 to 15 trash bags containing Guzman’s dismembered remains. Alongside the bags, police recovered electric chainsaws, cleaning supplies, and a diaper bag, all smeared with blood. One chainsaw still had traces of human flesh on its blades. A revolver with five spent cartridges and two bullets lodged in Guzman’s body was also discovered in the vehicle.
Planned Escape Thwarted
Authorities believe Lopez had planned to flee the country with her child, likely heading to Mexico or Guatemala, where she has family ties. Inside her car, officers found her passport, her child’s birth certificate, and travel essentials, suggesting she was preparing for a quick escape. However, the plan was foiled when Guzman’s employer contacted law enforcement, raising concerns about his sudden disappearance.
Lopez was arrested and remains in custody at the Geneva County Jail without bond. During a phone call from jail, she allegedly expressed regret for not fleeing sooner, stating, “I should have left earlier.” Investigators also discovered that Lopez had recently purchased four electric chainsaws from a local Lowe’s store, returning one after the murder.
Defense Claims of Self-Defense Denied
Lopez has pleaded not guilty to the charges and claimed she acted in self-defense, telling a judge that Guzman’s killing was necessary to protect herself. However, her request for bond was denied, and she remains incarcerated awaiting her court hearing on September 11. If convicted, she faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In an interview with local media, Guzman’s ex-wife, Jennifer Wilkerson, expressed her devastation and disbelief at the news of his violent death. Wilkerson, who remained friends with Guzman after their marriage ended, said she was sickened by the details of his murder. “To hear all of that, what she did to him like that — it sickens me to my stomach,” Wilkerson said. “He didn’t deserve any of that. I mean, she already shot him five times. What else did she plan on doing here?”
Legal Proceedings Await
Lopez is set to appear in court on September 11 for a preliminary hearing. As the investigation continues, details of the relationship between Lopez and Guzman and the events leading up to the murder remain under scrutiny. The case has left the local community shocked and seeking justice for the senseless death of Guzman.
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