MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – Miami-Dade police say they found human remains possibly connected to a woman who disappeared more than a year ago inside a vehicle in a west Miami-Dade County canal.
Investigators continued to follow leads in the case of Raquel Calderin and their efforts led them Monday to the canal on Krome Avenue, one mile north of Tamiami Trail.
Detectives were able to find Calderin's vehicle submerged in the canal. Police said once the vehicle was removed from the water, investigators discovered human remains inside.
The vehicle was taken to the medical examiner's office for further investigation. Police said the medical examiner's office will provide an official identification of the human remains.
Calderin was last seen Sept. 4, 2012 after leaving Gloria Floyd Elementary School, where she worked as a custodian.
Cellphone records show her husband, Jesus Maquiera, was near the school at the time his wife disappeared, said police. Calderin was on the phone shortly after leaving work when the call dropped.
The two lived with their children in southwest Miami-Dade County.
Police said Maquiera was angry because his wife wanted a divorce, adding that their 20-year marriage was plagued by violence.
Authorities claim Maquiera stalked Calderin after she left him and at one point put a GPS tracking device on her car.
Police arrested Maqueira on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated stalking.