Judge sentences killer to 15-years-to-life, calls woman’s death ‘horrific, calculated’

A man convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend, whose body remains missing, was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years to life in state prison.

Eduardo Magana, 48, was found guilty by a Chula Vista jury of second-degree murder for the slaying of Alexis Berenice Guadarrama Orozco, 33.

Prosecutors say Guadarrama Orozco met with Magana at the Star Motel in Otay Mesa on July 15, after which all communication between her and her loved ones ceased.

Magana was “later seen placing a large, heavy object in the trunk of his car in the early morning hours of July 16,” according to the District Attorney’s Office.

He was arrested three days later in Los Angeles County.

The victim’s sister, Isabel Cisneros, read statements from several of her loved ones during Magana’s sentencing. Each of the statements included pleas for Magana to reveal the location of Guadarrama Orozco’s body.

“He did not allow me to mourn her,” Cisneros said, while reading her own statement. “He did not allow us to say goodbye to her.”

Prior to imposing the prison term, the maximum allowed under the law, Superior Court Judge Timothy Walsh described Magana’s actions as “horrific, calculated, (and) perverse.”

The judge said Magana not only “senselessly” took the victim’s life, but also “caused extensive suffering to others and denied them the closure they deserve.”

Last month, the District Attorney’s Office put out a call to the public for any information that could lead to the discovery of Guadarrama Orozco’s body.

“While this killer is being held accountable for his crime and justice is being delivered, Alexis Berenice’s family and friends also deserve the closure of knowing her remains can be laid to rest,” District Attorney Summer Stephan said.

Anyone with information about the case was asked to call the San Diego Police Department‘s Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 888-580-8477.