A 25-year-old fitness fanatic who disappeared earlier this month was found dead in a car parked outside a Phoenix steakhouse.
Doris Aguilar, who was reported missing on July 1, was pronounced dead Thursday when authorities found her body next to her alleged stalker — 51-year-old Juan Cuellar. Authorities suspect the death was a murder-suicide.
Aguilar and Cuellar were both shot to death. Investigators determined that the 25-year-old was the victim of murder and that her gunshot wounds were not self-inflicted.
In Cuellar’s case, however, the coroner determined that he had indeed self-inflicted the gunshot wound.
Doris Aguilar, a 25-year-old fitness fanatic who disappeared earlier this month, was pronounced dead Thursday
The body of Aguilar, who was reported missing on July 1, was found next to that of 51-year-old Juan Cuellar, her alleged stalker
When the car containing their bodies was discovered on July 7, witnesses said the bodies had been there for several days.
Rob Scherer, a spokesperson for the Phoenix Police Department, said 12news that Aguilar and Cuellar knew each other, but declined to comment further.
Aguilar’s family and Steve Fischer, a private investigator, suspect Cuellar had been stalking the 25-year-old for more than a year.
According to Fischer, Cuellar was so obsessed with Aguilar that he kept showing up at the gyms where she trained.
As a result of his alleged stalking, the fitness fanatic repeatedly changed gyms.
Aguilar’s family and Steve Fischer, a private investigator, believe Cuellar had been stalking the 25-year-old for more than a year
When the car containing their bodies was discovered on July 7, witnesses said they appeared to have been there for several days.
But three days before Aguilar disappeared, Cuellar, whose profile picture showed a gun, said on Facebook that he knew what device she was now using.
He wrote: ‘I’m getting my membership back… [see you soon].
Fischer, who acts as a sort of representative for Aguilar’s family, most of which lives in Honduras, spoke about Cuellar’s cryptic Facebook post.
“She moved to Lifetime Fitness. And I think the last Facebook post he made was a post that said, ‘I’m getting my Lifetime membership back. See you soon,’ and that was on June 27th,” the investigator told AZFamilie.
He continued: ‘We didn’t see her again for three days later.’
Aguilar had previously expressed concerns about the alleged stalker, friends and family say.
But three days before Aguilar disappeared, Cuellar, whose profile picture was a gun, posted on Facebook that he knew which facility she was now using
Cuellar’s Facebook profile picture is a gun
Private investigator Fischer (pictured) acts as a sort of representative for the Aguilars family, most of whom live in Honduras
“She had made it clear to her family that she was afraid of him, to the point where she had told the family that something had happened to her and that he was the one responsible,” Fischer said. 12news.
According to the investigator, Aguilar met Cuellar while he was working at a distribution center.
According to Fischer, the 51-year-old was later fired after harassing the young woman.
But that didn’t stop the alleged stalker from contacting Aguilar. She continued to receive messages from Cuellar, telling her how much he loved her or threatening her.
Aguilar met Cuellar while working in a distribution center
Before she disappeared, Aguilar said she was going to the store. A week later, her car was found abandoned outside the Christown Spectrum shopping center
“He was so obsessed that he had a picture of her taped to the back of his cell phone,” Fischer said.
Before she disappeared, Aguilar said she was going to the store. A week later, her car was found abandoned outside the Christown Spectrum shopping center in Phoenix.
The vehicle was unlocked and most of her personal belongings were found inside, except for her car keys and cell phone. Aguilar’s cell phone later pinged in Peoria, where the 25-year-old had no tires.
“They found her purse, her wallet, her passport, credit cards, money, so it was clear the motive was not robbery. The car was unlocked,” Fischer told AZFamily.
The investigation into Aguilar’s death is ongoing, authorities said
Authorities say the investigation into Aguilar’s death is ongoing.
“This is just so sad,” the private investigator said 12news.
He continued: “What this man did to her family is just heartbreaking.”
“The poor girl was terrified of him.”