Omaha police found a body in a storage shed at Our Lady of Guadalupe social hall. The Rev. Bill Bond, the church’s main pastor, said the storage shed had been broken into and homeless people were using it. The victim was later identified as Francisco M. Santiago, 53.
A 37-year-old Omaha woman who earlier was charged with murder in connection with a Jan. 20 slaying near 25th and B Streets has been charged with murder in the death of a man whose body was found Jan. 27 near 23rd and O Streets.
Acacia-Cortes
Autum Acacia-Cortes was arrested Friday in the killing of Francisco M. Santiago, 53. She appeared in court Tuesday and was charged with first-degree murder. She was ordered held on no bail.
Josh Baumann, a deputy Douglas County attorney, said Tuesday that Santiago had been missing since Dec. 1. He said witnesses had seen Acacia-Cortes strangle Santiago.
Santiago
Santiago’s body was found the night of Jan. 27 on the property of Our Lady of Guadalupe social hall, 5001 S. 23rd St. The church’s pastor said the body was found in a storage shed in the social hall parking lot.
Martinez
Authorities had been looking for Santiago since Jan. 20, when they found 58-year-old Jose C. Martinez dead at Highland Tower, 2500 B St.
On Jan. 23, Acacia-Cortes was booked into the Douglas County Jail just after noon in connection with the Martinez homicide. She was ordered held without bail on charges of first-degree murder, tampering with physical evidence and use of a deadly weapon (not a firearm) to commit a felony.
kevin.cole@owh.com, 402-444-1272
Kevin Cole
Kevin Cole covers Omaha crime and public safety news. Follow him on Twitter @KevinColeOmaha. Phone: 402-444-1272.
