Missing Woman's Body Found After Man Arrested In Her Car

FAIRFAX STATION, VA— A man Fairfax County Police arrested after he was found in a missing woman's vehicle faces more questioning after her body was found.

The body of missing woman Vianele Tavera, 50, of New York was identified this week in a Philadelphia basement, NBC New York reported. The mother of five was reported missing during her trip from New York to Philadelphia after her family hadn't heard from her since Saturday, July 28.

Fairfax County authorities got involved on Monday, July 30 when Tavera's Acura MDX SUV with New York tags HAA-2607 was found in the 9000 block of South Park Circle in Fairfax Station. Officers had been called to the scene for a man needing medical attention and found Luis E. Negron-Martinez, 38, of Philadelphia in Tavera's SUV. Detectives found a gun and other items in the vehicle.

Negron-Martinez was charged with grand larceny (stolen auto) and possession of a concealed weapon. He was taken to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and held without bond.

Tavera's family told NBC New York she regularly visited Negron Martinez in Philadelphia, but it was unusual for her to not to be in regular contact with them.

According to NBC New York, Negron-Martinez told police he didn't know where Tavera was. However, he reportedly said he shot at a group of people during a dispute in Philadelphia and didn't know if he struck Tavera.

Investigations initially concluded Tavera got to her destination but may had been harmed. Local authorities have been working with the NYPD, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the Pennsylvania State Police on the investigation.

Main image: Tavera (left) and Negron-Martinez. Images via Fairfax County Police