Missing woman, 25, found shot to death in car with man family says was stalking her

PHOENIX (KPHO/Gray News) - Police in Arizona have confirmed that a missing woman is among two people who were found shot to death in a parking lot earlier this month.

Police identified the bodies found as 25-year-old Doris Aguilar and 51-year-old Juan Cuellar.

Authorities said Aguilar was the victim of homicide.

Aguilar went missing on July 1 before her body was discovered on July 7 in a steakhouse parking lot with Cuellar’s near 75th Avenue and Encanto Boulevard.

Investigators said the bodies appeared to be in the car for several days.

On Thursday, the Maricopa County medical examiner identified Aguilar with her cause of death pending.

The car Aguilar was found in was not hers, according to police. A gun was also recovered inside.

Investigators said Cuellar took his own life.

Aguilar’s family and a private investigator believe Cuellar had been stalking Aguilar. Family members said she told them she felt in danger and that a stalker wouldn’t leave her alone.

Private investigator Steve Fischer said the alleged stalker worked in the same building as Aguilar until he was fired a year ago.

Fischer said Cuellar continued to send threatening messages to Aguilar.

The 25-year-old was reported missing by her family on July 1, and her car was found outside the Christown Spectrum shopping center in central Phoenix.

The car was unlocked, and most of her belongings were still inside.

Detectives said their investigation remains ongoing.