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After almost a year on the run, the accused killer of beauty salon owner Faviola Hernandez is behind bars. Miguel Mateos-Martinez was arrested by U.S. Marshals in Mexico.
Miguel Mateos-Martinez, a known gang member, had been listed as one of the U.S. Marshals' 15 Most Wanted. His capture is very good news for Hernandez's family, who gathered at her beauty salon this morning. They say justice has been served.
"She's gone forever. She's really gone forever," Faviola's mother, Rosa Hernandez, said. She says she misses her daughter every day.
"I wake up every morning and I say, ‘She just went on vacation. She's coming back,'" Rosa said.
Last August, Faviola was shot and killed by an armed robber in her salon near 1300 West and California Avenue while her two young siblings watched. It's been a long eleven months for her family with her killer on the run.
"We had to lose a part of our family, and he was still out enjoying life," said Lyndsay Roman, Faviola's aunt.
Authorities say not anymore. The suspect, Miguel Mateos-Martinez, is behind bars in a Mexico City prison.
"There was a strong commitment by individual officers and marshals to actually bring this person to justice," said Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank.
He was caught in Ensenada near a residence where he was staying. Because of Mexican law, extradition could take time. "There will be some negotiations and some attempts to bring him back. It's not going to be a simple process," said Salt Lake County District Attorney Lohra Miller.
But authorities say they want him back and will do whatever it takes to get him here. "We will catch criminals and hold them responsible for the acts that they commit. ... there is nowhere safe to hide," Burbank said.
Another man, Jesus Jimenez, was arrested shortly after the murder. He was found guilty of murder and robbery by a jury last week.
E-mail: corton@ksl.com
