A New Haven man has pleaded guilty to murdering the mother of his child and burying her in a shallow grave behind a restaurant in Branford.
Jonnathan Jara-Aucapina, 30, made the guilty plea on Wednesday.
Jara-Aucapina told police he believed Aleman-Popoca had run off.
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After nearly two weeks of searching, police found Aleman-Popoca's body buried in a shallow grave near a dumpster behind LoMonaco's Ristorante on Route 1 in Branford. Jara-Aucapina worked at the restaurant.
According to prosecutors, Jara-Aucapina was seen buying a hoe and shovel at the Home Depot in East Haven before driving to the restaurant in Aleman-Popoca's vehicle.
He was arrested and charged with murder in December 2020.
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“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 John Doyle Jr. said.
Jara-Aucapina faces 25 years in prison when he is sentenced on April 2.
