Man arrested in Mexico for murder of Utah radio host

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah — A 35-year-old man accused of killing a woman last year in Taylorsville and then fleeing the country has been arrested in Mexico.

According to a Friday afternoon press release from the Taylorsville City Police Department, Manuel Omar Burciaga-Perea was apprehended in Chihuahua, Mexico, on Nov. 24 “with the assistance of federal and state agents in Mexico and the United States Marshals Service.”

He is accused of shooting and killing Gabriela Sifuentes-Castilla — a local Spanish radio show host who went by the name of Gaby Ramos — at her sister’s house, located near 2300 West and 5200 South, on Oct. 17, 2021.

“Sifuentes-Castilla was shot seven times in the chest, arm and head, according to charging documents filed in November 2021,” the release stated.

Tragically, she died of her wounds at the scene.

Police said Burciaga-Perea and Sifuentes-Castilla had been in a relationship but were not together at the time of her death.

Family speaks out after Taylorsville woman gunned down in her home

According to the release, detectives learned that Burciaga-Perea had flown to his hometown in Chihuahua, Mexico, immediately following the shooting.

“Because Burciaga-Perea is a Mexican citizen and was in Mexico, TVPD did not have any authority to detain him despite his known location, which prompted further legal proceedings to have him arrested,” the release stated.

On Oct. 19, two days after the shooting, an arrest warrant for Burciaga-Perea was obtained.

Police said multiple agencies — including Taylorsville police, the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service in Utah, and the U.S. Department of Justice — worked in connection with the Mexican State Attorney General’s Office and federal court in Mexico to execute that arrest warrant.

“This could not have happened without the teamwork, perseverance and cooperation between offices,” said TVPD Chief Brady Cottam. “The process was tedious and painstaking, but we are grateful for this significant step toward resolution and justice.”

Burciaga-Perea will be held with the Federal Justice Center in Mexico, according to police, pending an extradition hearing based on the National Code of Criminal Procedures.

When Ramos’ family heard he had been arrested, they couldn’t believe it.

“I was in shock, then I was crying. I was like, ‘Finally, finally, they got him,'” said Rocio Sifuentes, Gaby Ramos’ sister.

Ramos’ sister said she has hope that justice will soon be served for her sister.

“We need to keep fighting for real justice — it’s not the end, just the beginning,” Sifuentes said.

She added, if anyone is in an unhealthy relationship, to know that there are resources out there to help.

“Please speak out, break the silence, you are not alone,” Sifuentes said.

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Domestic violence resources

Help for people in abusive relationships can be found by contacting:

• Utah Domestic Violence Coalition: Utah’s confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465)
• YWCA Women in Jeopardy program: 801-537-8600
• Utah’s statewide child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233