Lilia Cosco-Ortiz of Vancouver has been identified as the person found dead in Yamhill County, Ore., on Sunday. POlice are seeking Victor Melcher Villalba, a.k.a. Victor Bello Rojas, as a person of interest in the case.
The victim in an Oregon homicide has been identified as a Vancouver woman. Police are looking for her live-in significant other, whom they are calling a person of interest in the case.
The body of a female foundSunday near Lafayette, Ore., was positively identified as Lilia Cosco-Ortiz, 37, according to the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon State Police Forensic Crime Lab.
Police are asking for the public’s help in locating 36-year-old Victor Melcher Villalba, who also goes by Victor Bello Rojas. Yamhill County District Attorney Brad Berry said that Villalba was in a relationship and living with Cosco-Ortiz, but that it was unclear if they were dating or married.
Villalba was last seen driving a white 2003 Toyota Tacoma extended cab pickup with Oregon license plate 184 HLR. The vehicle has some body damage to the right side of the tailgate.
Anyone who sees Villalba or has information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911.
Cosco-Ortiz was last seen leaving her Vancouver home with Villalba late Saturday. Family members believe that she was headed to the Oregon Coast, according to the Yamhill County District Attorney’s Office.
She was expected back home that night or the next day. She was reported missing to the Vancouver Police Department on Sunday when she did not return home, according to the press release.
Citizens driving in the area of a blueberry field near LaFayette, Ore., about 35 miles southeast of Portland, found her body and called police about 1:15 p.m. Sunday, according to the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office.
The Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death was homicidal violence.
Anyone with any other information about the case is asked to contact Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office Detective Justin Brester at 503-434-7506 or bresterj@co.yamhill.or.us.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Morning Briefing Newsletter
Get a rundown of the latest local and regional news every Mon-Fri morning.
