LOS ANGELES, CA – Nearly two years after the charred remains of a young mother were discovered along Highway 99 in Bakersfield, authorities have made a significant breakthrough in the case. Hemet Police Department announced the arrest of a suspect believed to be responsible for the brutal killing.
Carla Duran, a 27-year-old mother of two, was found stabbed to death and her body set ablaze on the side of the highway in December 2022. On Wednesday morning, a swarm of SWAT officers descended on a San Fernando neighborhood to serve a search warrant. Juan Figueroa, 30, was taken into custody at a residence on Knox Street, suspected of Duran’s murder.
Family members of Duran expressed relief at the news of the arrest. They had been tirelessly advocating for justice, urging the public to assist in solving the case. “The pain we’ve been suffering is unimaginable,” one family member said. “We just want justice for Carla and her children.”
The investigation, which involved collaboration between authorities in Bakersfield and Los Angeles, was extensive and painstaking. Despite the condition of Duran’s body, the medical examiner determined that she had died from multiple stab wounds. Duran was last seen alive on the night of December 16, 2022, after meeting friends at a restaurant near the VFW post in San Fernando.
Authorities have not disclosed what evidence led them to Figueroa, but they indicated that the investigation is ongoing and that more arrests could follow. Figueroa, identified as a known gang member, is currently being held on $1 million bail.
The arrest brings a sense of closure to Duran’s family, who never gave up hope. They worked closely with law enforcement, providing any information that could help solve the case. “This is a step closer to justice,” a family member remarked. “We won’t stop until we have all the answers.”
As the investigation continues, authorities urge anyone with additional information to come forward. The community’s cooperation remains crucial in ensuring that all those involved in this heinous crime are brought to justice.