Man Sentenced For Murdering Ex-Girlfriend As Search Continues For Her Body

CHULA VISTA, CA — A man convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend in San Diego County, whose body remains missing since her disappearance last summer, was sentenced Tuesday to prison.

Eduardo Magana, 48, was found guilty in November of second-degree murder for the slaying of 33-year-old Alexis Berenice Guadarrama Orozco. He was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years to life in state prison.

Prosecutors said Guadarrama Orozco met with Magana at the Star Motel in Otay Mesa on July 15, after which all communication between her and her friends and family stopped.

In the early morning hours of July 16, Magana was seen "placing a large, heavy object in the trunk of his car," according to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office. He was arrested three days later in Bell Gardens in Los Angeles County.

Guadarrama Orozco's body was never found. Authorities believe her remains are in the Southern California area.

Officials have sought the public's help for any information that could lead to the discovery of her remains.

"Even though we have obtained a measure of justice with the murder conviction and today's sentencing, true semblance of closure and dignity will come when the victim's remains are returned to her grieving family," Stephan said. "I am grateful to our prosecution team and the San Diego Police Department detectives who solved this case."

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call the San Diego Police Department's Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or the San Diego County Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 888-580-8477.