Watch CBS News

Man Could Face Charges In Murders Of Lennox Couple

LENNOX (CBS/AP) — Murder charges could be filed as early as Tuesday after a second body unearthed from the backyard of a drug house was identified as the wife of the homeowner whose body was dug up last week.

Deputy Bill Brauberger says Gabriela Stein's remains were found Saturday afternoon in the unincorporated Lennox area backyard where her 53-year-old husband Daniel Stein was discovered on a week ago. City News Service says identification of Gabriela Stein was confirmed Sunday evening.

Gabriela Stern went missing about a month after Stein's mother reported him missing Dec. 17.

The Sheriff's Department describes 26-year-old Marcos Lomeli, who was arrested on Feb. 16, as a person of interest in the case. He is in custody on unrelated charges of robbery and carjacking.

Lomeli, who lived at the house, was arrested Wednesday in connection with several crimes unconnected to the bodies, although he could be charged with murder as soon as Tuesday, sheriff's deputies said.

Acting on a tip from Lomeli's ex-girlfriend, Jenny Salazar, authorities dug up the backyard Tuesday and unearthed Stein's body.

Salazar told investigators that she and Lomeli went to the house Jan. 12 to ask to borrow a truck to dispose of a couple of bodies, sheriff's deputies said.

She was arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment, for allegedly helping tie up and hold the truck owner against his will.

(TM and © Copyright 2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.