Salem Police Arrest Suspect in Murder Case of Missing Woman
A months-long investigation into the disappearance of 43-year-old Priscilla Joann Aldana has culminated in the arrest of her domestic partner, Erik Mauricio Meza, on charges of murder, abuse of a corpse, and arson.
Aldana was reported missing on December 23, 2024. Her body was later discovered outside a burned-out building on an abandoned lot on January 3, with an autopsy revealing a gunshot wound to the head and a manner of death classified as homicide.
Detectives identified Meza, a 44-year-old Salem resident, as a suspect in the case and apprehended him without incident on January 9 in the 500 block of 18 ST NE.
Meza has been lodged at the Marion County Jail on the following charges:
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Murder, second degree
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Abuse of a corpse, second degree
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Arson, second degree
The Marion County District Attorney’s Office will handle all further inquiries into the case.
