FAIRFAX, VA – Jose L. Cruz, 60, has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 1991 death of his wife, Ana Jurado, amidst allegations of infidelity, according to the Fairfax County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Steve Descano.
Cruz, who fled the United States and evaded capture for over 30 years, faces up to 40 years in prison for the murder of 24-year-old Jurado. The incident occurred on April 30, 1991, during the couple’s divorce proceedings. Fairfax County authorities were alerted to the crime after neighbors reported hearing screams; police found Jurado deceased from upper body trauma.
Investigators believe the motive for the murder was Cruz’s suspicion of an affair, which led him to fatally slash Jurado’s throat. Following the murder,
Cruz made a failed attempt to cross into Canada with a false identification and a noticeable fresh cut on his hand. He then traveled to Houston and eventually to El Salvador, where he started a new family.
Descano emphasized the lasting impact of the crime on the community and the three children left behind. The pursuit of justice for Jurado and other victims remains a priority for Fairfax County, highlighting the commitment to resolving even decades-old cases.
