FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(New Haven, CT) – New Haven Judicial District State’s Attorney John P. Doyle, Jr. today announced that Jonnathan Jara-Aucapina, age 30, of New Haven, pleaded guilty on February 7, 2024 before the Honorable Gerald L. Harmon to a charge of Murder, in violation of Connecticut General Statutes § 53a-54a.
Pursuant to the plea agreement, Jara-Aucapina faces a total effective sentence of 25 years in prison when he is sentenced in New Haven Superior Court on April 2, 2024.
Jara-Aucapina’s plea stems from the disappearance and murder of Lizzbeth Aleman-Popoca, Jara-Aucapina’s longtime girlfriend. According to court records, on July 3, 2020, Jara-Aucapina had reported Ms. Aleman-Popoca missing to the East Haven Police Department. During the course of their investigation, East Haven police learned that prior to Jara-Aucapina filing a missing person report, he had killed Ms. Aleman-Popoca and buried her in a shallow grave behind a Branford restaurant. Jara-Aucapina was seen purchasing a hoe and shovel at the Home Depot in East Haven before driving out to the restaurant in the victim’s vehicle.
“At this time, I would like to extend my condolences to the friends and family of Ms. Aleman-Popoca who have endured such an unimaginable loss due to this senseless crime,” State’s Attorney Doyle said. “I also would like to express my gratitude to the East Haven Police Department, the Connecticut State Police and the FBI for their investigative efforts in this case.”
The case was prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Seth R. Garbarsky and former Assistant State’s Attorney Andrew Durham, who were assisted by Inspector Alfonso Vasquez.