A 25-year-old fitness fanatic who disappeared earlier this month has been found dead inside a car parked outside a steakhouse in Phoenix.
Doris Aguilar, who was reported missing on July 1, was confirmed dead on Thursday when authorities found her body alongside her alleged stalker – 51-year-old Juan Cuellar. Authorities suspect the deaths were a murder-suicide.
Aguilar and Cuellar were both shot to death. Investigators determined that the 25-year-old was a victim of homicide and that her gunshot wounds were not self-inflicted.
In the case of Cuellar, however, the Office of the Medical Examiner ascertained that his gunshot wound was indeed self-inflicted.
Doris Aguilar, 25-year-old fitness fanatic who disappeared earlier this month, was confirmed dead on Thursday
The body of Aguilar, who was reported missing on July 1, was found alongside that of 51-year-old Juan Cuellar, her alleged stalker
When the car containing their bodies was discovered on July 7, witnesses said that they appeared to have been there for several days.
Phoenix Police Public Information Officer Rob Scherer told 12news that Aguilar and Cuellar knew one another but declined to comment further.
Aguilar’s family and Steve Fischer, a private investigator, believe that Cuellar had been stalking the 25-year-old for over a year.
According to Fischer, Cuellar was so obsessed with Aguilar that he kept showing up at the gyms where she worked out.
As a result of his alleged stalking, the fitness fanatic changed gyms repeatedly.
Aguilar’s family and Steve Fischer, a private investigator, believe that Cuellar had been stalking the 25-year-old for over a year
When the car containing their bodies was discovered on July 7, witnesses said that they appeared to have been there for several days
But three days before Aguilar vanished, Cuellar, whose profile picture was a gun, indicated on Facebook that he knew which facility she was now using.
He wrote: ‘Getting my membership back… [see you soon].’
Fischer, who serves as a kind of representative for Aguilar’s family, most of whom live in Honduras, spoke about Cuellar’s cryptic Facebooks post.
‘She moved to Lifetime Fitness. And I think the last Facebook post that he made is a post saying, ‘Getting my Lifetime membership back. See you soon,’ and that was on June 27,’ the investigator said to AZFamily.
He continued: ‘Three days later we never saw her again.’
Aguilar had previously expressed her fear about the alleged stalker, friends and family claim.
But three days before Aguilar vanished, Cuellar, whose profile picture was a gun, indicated on Facebook that he knew which facility she was now using
Cuellar’s Facebook profile picture is a handgun
Private Investigator Fischer (pictured) serves as a kind of representative for Aguilar’s family, most of whom live in Honduras
‘She had made it clear to her family that she was scared of him to the point where she had told family that something happened to her, that it would be him that would be responsible,’ Fischer told 12news.
According to the investigator, Aguilar met Cuellar while employed at a distribution center.
The 51-year-old was later fired after harassing the young woman, according to Fischer.
But that didn’t stop the alleged stalker from contacting Aguilar, who continued to receive messages from Cuellar either telling her how much he loved her or threatening her.
Aguilar met Cuellar while employed at a distribution center
Before she disappeared, Aguilar said that she was going to the store. A week later, her car was found abandoned outside the Christown Spectrum shopping center
‘He was obsessed to the point where he had a picture of her taped to the back of his cell phone,’ Fischer said.
Before she disappeared, Aguilar said that she was going to the store. A week later, her car was found abandoned outside the Christown Spectrum shopping center in Phoenix.
The vehicle was unlocked and most of her personal belonging were found inside except for her car keys and cell phone. Aguilar’s cellphone later pinged in Peoria, where the 25-year-old had no ties.
‘They found her purse, her wallet, her passport, credit cards, cash, so it was clear the motive was not robbery. The car was unlocked,’ Fischer told AZFamily.
The investigation into Aguilar’s death is ongoing, authorities said
The investigation into Aguilar’s death is ongoing, authorities said.
‘This is just so sad,’ the private investigator told 12news.
He continued: ‘This guy, just what he did to her family, is just heartbreaking.’
‘The poor girl was just scared to death of him.’
