Lawrenceville Woman's Body Burned After Being Killed: Police

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A 28-year-old Lawrenceville woman was killed in Gwinnett County by her ex-boyfriend before her body was moved to and burned in Oglethorpe County, Gwinnett County Police said Monday.

Officers were responding to a welfare check around 5:45 p.m. Wednesday for Rubi Maldonado Nava at her Club Lakes Parkway home but police say officers did not find her.

An investigation revealed Nava could have been harmed or killed by her ex-boyfriend, Jahir Alejandro Conteras Sagahon, 29, of Lawrenceville, police said. Sagahon was taken from his home to the police station for questioning with severe burns on his face and hands, police said.

According to police, Sagahon admitted to arguing with Nava at her home. Police said Sagahon choked Nava, loaded her body into her car and drove to Oglethorpe, where he set the car on fire.

Gwinnett Police worked with the Oglethorpe County Sheriff's Office to find Nava and her car, police said, noting the car was severely burned and skeletal remains were found inside of the car.

The remains were turned over to the medical examiner’s office for identification and the car was taken to Gwinnett Police headquarters for processing.

Sagahon is charged on suspicion of felony murder, third-degree cruelty to children and aggravated assault, police said. He was booked into the Gwinnett County Detention Center.