The Monday arrest of Morgan Hill resident Antolin Garcia-Torres, who now faces charges of kidnapping and murdering Sierra LaMar, may have seemed sudden, but investigators have been tracking the suspect for over a month.
Here's a brief breakdown detailing how detectives identified Garcia-Torres as a suspect.
Garcia-Torres’ identity was revealed through lab results on March 28. Samples of the DNA found on Sierra’s clothing were put into a system that identified Garcia-Torres that day, according to investigators. Detectives began a 24-hour surveillance on the new suspect.
Torres’ DNA also linked him to three assaults in South Santa Clara County in 2009. Of those three assaults, a confirmed link was made between Garcia-Torres and an assault involving a Taser, furthering substantiating authorities' belief that Garcia-Torres could be the suspect they've sought for over two months.
For previous coverage of the Sierra LaMar case, refer to the Sierra LaMar Disappearance: Comprehensive Updates and Information page on Gilroy Patch.
http://gilroy.patch.com/articles/updated-autopsy-results-fail-to-identify-woman-found-in-trash-can-64952065 http://gilroy.patch.com/articles/lamar-search-efforts-focus-on-south-county-public-asked-to-join They're updates from Friday. I'll post a comment here as soon as I have an update, promise!
God bless her family.
When I see Sierra's mom and dad.. my heart aches. The unknown is terrible. My son was taken but for only hours (like 4) and I thought I would go out of my mind. he was only 4 at the time. So not comparing really. A friends daughter (she was 16) was taken and found two days later brutally murdered. It is hard to believe that there are people in this world that would do things like this. The LaMar's are all in my prayers.
Speculation is good but sometimes it can make matters worse.
I'll tell you my opinion, but don't get it twisted with being a fact. Antolin is not a good crime person. He left evidence by touching Sierra's belongings without gloves. Call that smart? Do you think he's smart enough to make police wonder where her body is over 4 months? Even if he didn't touch Sierra, he's part of this crime with a partner-n-crime. He might had been the middle man agreeing to do this crime in his car. So bottom line, he's not going anywhere because this man is part of this conflict. Dogs senses are accurate. The dog's search went dry not even past the drive way. That's where questions flow in. Was Sierra expecting a ride? Was Sierra texting a friend walking past to the bus stop? Sierra's mother claim she takes the bus at 7:15, so was she in the house the whole time? Add it up, it's going to show answers. Sierra had to be at home because the dogs didn't even smell her scent past her drive way. This case is scary and sad!