In late January 2017, a Belleville woman, 41-year-old Diana Boggio, was reported missing. The search for her came to a tragic end on the morning of Tuesday, January 31st, when her body was discovered in the trunk of her Honda Accord, which was parked on Verona Avenue in Newark, New Jersey. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
An investigation was immediately launched by the Essex County Prosecutor's Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force.
The investigation quickly led to her boyfriend, 42-year-old Pedro Lora-Pena of Belleville. Authorities charged him with murder, unlawful possession of a handgun, possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose, and moving or concealing human remains.
The preliminary investigation indicated that the murder did not take place in Newark. It is believed that Lora-Pena killed Boggio at another location before driving her body to Newark. Prosecutors later stated that Lora-Pena admitted to shooting her three times during an argument. The dispute reportedly began because she was texting another man while they were driving home from a haircut. He then placed her body in the trunk of the car.
