2001 Murder Suspect Located/Arrested in Mexico
May 8, 2012
Suspected murderer, Manuel Guadalupe Medina, was booked into the
Maricopa County jail during the late hours of May 7, 2012, for
the murder of his girlfriend in 2001.
On New Year's Eve in 2001, at approximately 8:00 pm, Mesa Police
responded to 2002 N. Country Club Drive in regards to a
shooting. Upon arrival, a female victim was found inside of a
pickup truck registered to Medina. The female had a gunshot
wound and subsequently died from her injuries. During the
investigation, it was learned that Medina had shot the victim at
a separate location, before driving her to the above Mesa
address. Shortly after the shooting, Medina gathered his family
and fled to Mexico. Further information revealed that the victim
was breaking up with Medina.
On June 28, 2002, a warrant was issued out of Maricopa County
Superior Court charging Medina with 2nd degree murder, class 1
felony, $500,000 bond. On April 25, 2003, a warrant was issued
out of the United States District Court, District of Arizona.
Over the next several years, working cooperatively with
Mexican Federal Law Enforcement, Medina was eventually located
and arrested in June 6, 2010 in Aguaruto, Municipality of
Culiacan, Sinaloa, by Mexican Federal agents, pursuant to a
provisional arrest warrant. He was transported to Mexico City
and presented before a judge and was awaiting extradition. On
April 24, 2012, Medina was returned to the United States and was
taken into custody in Houston, Texas, by the sheriff's
department. Medina arrived in Arizona on the evening of May 7
and was booked into jail for 1 count of 2nd degree murder.
This investigation is an illustration of the diligent efforts
made by local and international law enforcement agencies working
together to bring justice for a grieving family and to a
suspected murderer.