TAYLORSVILLE — A man charged with shooting his ex-girlfriend multiple times at close range and killing her is believed to have turned off his cellphone and fled directly to Mexico, abandoning all his personal belongings, police said Tuesday.

Manuel Burciaga-Perea was charged by the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office in 3rd District Court with aggravated murder, a first-degree felony, in the Oct. 17 death of Gabriela Sifuentes Castilla, 38, who was better known as Gaby Ramos, a radio host for a local Spanish-language radio station called La Mas Picosita (KMRI 1550 AM), and was a well-known member of the Hispanic community.

A no-bail arrest warrant was also issued on Tuesday. Taylorsville police had previously stated on Oct. 19 that a warrant was issued for Burciaga-Perea but that the warrant was sealed "to allow the U.S. Marshals Office time to chase down any leads." The case believed to be connected to that warrant remained sealed Tuesday, according to court records.

In addition to aggravated murder, Burciaga-Perea was also charged with aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony; obstructing justice, a second-degree felony; and domestic violence in the presence of a child, and aggravated assault, both third-degree felonies.

On Oct. 17, about 1:20 a.m., Taylorsville police were dispatched to a verbal domestic argument at 5222 S. Autumn Park Drive (2310 West). Family members of Castilla say Burciaga-Perea had come over to confront her about an engagement ring. Burciaga-Perea forced his way into the house, grabbed the ring from Castilla's room and left, according to charging documents.

About 1:35 a.m., the family called 911 again to report that Burciaga-Perea had returned and was "enraged" because Castilla had "danced with another man at a party," the charges state. Castilla's sister told investigators that Castilla had broken off her eight-month relationship to Burciaga-Perea "multiple times" because of his jealousy, according to charging documents.

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Family members say Gaby Sifuentes Castilla had been trying to get out of a toxic relationship when she was shot and killed early Sunday in her home. Police say her ex-boyfriend is suspected of killing her.

As her sister was talking to a 911 dispatcher, Castilla opened the front door where Burciaga-Perea pointed a gun directly at her, the charges state.

"Gabriela extended her arms out and screamed 'No, no, no!' as she started falling backward. As Gabriela was falling backward, Burciaga shot her multiple times. Burciaga then shot Gabriela as she was lying on the ground," according to charging documents.

"After Burciaga shot Gabriela Sifuentes-Castilla multiple times at close range, he shot her again while she was lying on the floor in front of him," the charges state.

When Castillas's sister ran to her to help, Burciaga-Perea pointed the gun at her, forcing her to retreat to a back bedroom, the charges state.

Taylorsville police recovered four spent shell casings inside the home and another three just outside the front door, according to the charges. An autopsy from the Utah State Medical Examiner's Office determined Castilla was struck by all seven shots.

Investigators say immediately after running from the house, Burciaga-Perea turned off his phone and never turned it back on. The next day, however, Burciaga-Perea's Facebook messenger was accessed in Chihuahua, Mexico, according to the charges.

"Burciaga never returned to the room he rented in Salt Lake County, and he has abandoned all his property in his room," the charges state.

Police continued Tuesday to search for Burciaga-Perea.

Domestic violence resources

Help for people in abusive relationships can be found by contacting:

Utah Domestic Violence Coalition: Utah's confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465)

YWCA Women in Jeopardy program: 801-537-8600

Utah's statewide child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

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