East Haven Woman Missing; Foul Play Suspected

EAST HAVEN, CT — Foul play is suspected in the recent disappearance of a 27-year-old East Haven woman, according to police.

Lizzbeth Aleman-Popoca was last seen July 1 and has not been heard from or seen since, East Haven police said. Now, authorities are pleading for the public’s help in locating her.

Police were first notified about Aleman-Popoca's disappearance by her father, sister and husband Jonnathan X. Jara-Aucapina on July 3, according to East Haven police Capt. Joe Murgo. They told police she went missing on the night of June 30 or the early morning hours of July 1.

Though referred to as her husband in the initial media release by police, they were not legally married, but he is father to her daughter, her sister told Patch.

Jara-Aucapina said he got a phone call from the couple's 7-year-old daughter while he was at work telling him that her mother was not home when she woke up, Murgo said. The husband told police when he got to their St. Andrews Avenue home, his daughter was home alone, his wife was missing, and most of her personal belongings were left behind, Murgo said.

At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Aleman-Popoca's family, her sister and father — Yaneth Aleman and Albino Aleman —pleaded for the community's help in locating her. Jara-Aucapina was not at the event.

Aleman-Popoco is Hispanic, 5 feet, 2 inches, with black hair and dark brown eyes. It is unknown what she was last wearing. Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is asked to contact Capt. Joseph Murgo at 203-468-3824 or jmurgo@easthavenpolice.com.

The East Haven Police Department Investigative Services Division, the Connecticut State Police Central District Major Crime Squad, the FBI and the New Haven States Attorney’s Office are investigating the case.