PUEBLO – A coroner in Colorado has identified partial human remains found in a trash bag near the Arkansas River earlier this week.
Pueblo County Coroner Brian Cotter identified Maria Cuevas-Maria, 58, who was dismembered, put in a suitcase and thrown into a dumpster at a car wash after her death in October, the Pueblo Chieftain reported.
A volunteer group cleaning up near the river Tuesday alerted authorities to the bag found on a steep embankment south of the river’s bike trail, police said. Cotter identified the remains Friday.
Cuevas-Maria’s head and both hands and feet were severed from the body when first discovered in October, authorities said, adding that they have since been looking for the remaining body parts.
The woman’s son Anthony Cuevas, 36, of Monte Vista was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, police said.
There is no phone listing for Cuevas, and it was not immediately clear if he had an attorney who could speak on his behalf.
Police have said they have video surveillance of the suspect pulling a suitcase out of the trunk of a car, throwing it into a dumpster and driving off, which investigators used to chase potential leads on the suspect.
Police reported in October that hours after the footage was captured, Cuevas sold his car, which officers believe is the same vehicle shown in the video.
A judge has sealed the case file against Cuevas, who is set to appear in court April 3.
