Priscilla Joan Aldana, a 43-year-old woman from Salem, Oregon, was reported missing on December 23, 2024. Her disappearance prompted a widespread search effort by her family and community, who circulated missing person posters and organized search parties in hopes of finding her. Tragically, on January 3, 2025, her body was discovered near a burned structure in an abandoned lot on Lancaster Drive Southeast.
Authorities later confirmed that she had been shot in the head, and the state medical examiner ruled her death a homicide.
Following an investigation, Salem police identified Erik Mauricio Meza, a 44-year-old man from Salem, as the primary suspect in Aldana's death. Meza, who was reportedly her boyfriend, was arrested on January 9, 2025, in the area of Center Street Northeast and 18th Street. He was charged with second-degree murder, second-degree abuse of a corpse, and second-degree arson. Court records indicate that Meza had a prior criminal history, including a federal conviction in 2013 for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, for which he served over seven years in prison.
Aldana's family, devastated by the loss, spoke publicly about their grief and their determination to seek justice for her. Her mother and sister recalled her as a compassionate and loving individual who was deeply cherished by those who knew her. The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, as Aldana's family and community continue to advocate for awareness and justice in her name.
Meza was arraigned in Marion County Court, where a judge ordered him to be held without bail until his next court date on January 21, 2025. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Aldana's death, including the events leading up to her disappearance and the motive behind the crime. The community remains shaken by the tragedy, as they remember Aldana's life and the impact she had on those around her.
