In the early morning hours of a Sunday in January 2019, the body of 29-year-old Sanjuana Perez-Ostiguin was discovered near Don Tyson Parkway and George Anderson Road in Springdale, Arkansas. An initial examination revealed she had sustained a gunshot wound to her chest. For a time, investigators were faced with a mystery, as there were no immediate witnesses to the events leading to her death.
The Springdale Police Department began an investigation, appealing to the public for any
information that might shed light on the circumstances surrounding Perez-Ostiguin's demise. Their efforts soon led them to a person of interest, 26-year-old Kevin Velez, also of Springdale. Detectives located Velez in a white Ford Explorer and initially arrested him on an unrelated warrant for failure to appear.
During questioning by the Springdale Criminal Investigation Division, Velez confessed to shooting Perez-Ostiguin. He stated that the shooting occurred during an argument inside his vehicle. Velez claimed that the shooting was accidental and in self-defense. After the incident, he admitted to cleaning his vehicle and disposing of the evidence. During a search, investigators also found methamphetamine in Velez's possession.
Based on his confession and the evidence gathered, Kevin Velez was charged with first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, and possession of a controlled substance. Authorities indicated that Velez and Perez-Ostiguin were acquaintances. At the time of his arrest, police stated that they did not anticipate making any further arrests in connection with the case. Velez was subsequently held at the Washington County Detention Center.
