Photo: El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office
A California man stands accused of murder after authorities say they found human remains believed to be those of his wife, whodisappeared nearly two months ago.
“The missing person case of Heather Gumina has transitioned into a homicide investigation,” the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office said in asocial media postannouncing the arrest on Friday of 44-year-old Anthony Gumina.
“My daughter was one of the most giving, loyal people I’ve ever known,” Russell told the outlet. “I’m going to grieve for a very long time.”
Anthony Gumina.
At the time authorities announced their search both for Heather and her missing 2005 black Infiniti G35 with pink bow stickers on it that she was “likely driving.”
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On Friday, according to the sheriff’s office, Anthony Gumina was arrested on an outstanding warrant for domestic violence. At the same time, authorities with a search warrant canvassed an unidentified area of Pleasant Valley.
Anthony Gumina.El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office
“During the search, detectives located what is believed to be the remains of Heather Gumina,” the sheriff’s office said in the social media post.
Jail records show he is being held without bond in the El Dorado County jail. An attorney who might speak on Anthony’s behalf was not immediately identified.
“He did nothing wrong. He loved her. He loved his wife,” Anthony’s cousin, Robert Shawaluk, told KTXL. “And for them to arrest him when he cooperated the whole time. He did nothing but cooperate with the cops.”
The criminal charge brought added heartbreak to Heather’s family. Her mother had continued, through last week, to post on social media abouther hopes for her daughter’s safe return.
“It’s going to be very hard to be without her,” Russell said, “but I know that she’s in heaven now.”
source: people.com
