MURDERED: Lizzbeth Aleman-Popoca
When Lizzbeth Aleman-Popoca, a young mother on the brink of a new beginning, is found murdered just weeks after she vanished, the search for answers unravels a web of her boyfriend’s lies and manipulation.
Listened to this episode? Let us know what you think here.
Lizzbeth Aleman-Popoca
Source: East Haven Police Department
Aerial view of Lizzbeth and Jonnathan’s home and neighborhood in East Haven, CT.
Source: Google Earth
Surveillance footage shows Lizzbeth, her boyfriend, Jonnathan Jara-Aucapina, and their daughter walking into their home on June 29th, 2020.
Source: East Haven Police Department
Body camera footage of Lizzbeth’s father, Albino (left); sister, Yaneth Aleman; and boyfriend, Jonnathan, reporting Lizzbeth missing on July 3rd, 2020.
Source: East Haven Police Department
Body camera footage of Jonnathan.
Source: East Haven Police Department
Surveillance footage shows Jonnathan moving Lizzbeth’s car on July 1st, 2020.
Source: East Haven Police Department
Surveillance footage shows Jonnathan spraying air freshener around the trunk of Lizzbeth’s car on July 1st, 2020.
Source: East Haven Police Department
Surveillance footage shows Jonnathan buying a shovel and hoe at Home Depot on July 1st, 2020.
Source: East Haven Police Department
East Haven police set up to search Lizzbeth and Jonnathan’s apartment.
Source: East Haven Police Department
Aerial view of LoMonaco’s Ristorante, in Branford, CT. Jonnathan worked there.
Source: Google Earth
The door was laying on top of disturbed dirt behind LoMonaco’s Ristorante.
Source: East Haven Police Department
Lizzbeth’s body was found buried behind a dumpster at LoMonaco’s Ristorante.
Source: East Haven Police Department
Jonnathan Jara-Aucapina
Source: East Haven Police Department
Lizzbeth’s loved ones and supporters put up signs, candles, and flowers near the place her body was found.
Source: Justice for Lizbeth Aleman-Popoca (sic) Facebook page
Lizzbeth’s loved ones and supporters in front of LoMonaco’s Ristorante.
Source: Justice for Lizbeth Aleman-Popoca (sic) Facebook page
If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic abuse of any kind, you are not alone.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
You can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233); for TTY: 1-800-787-3224; or text “START” to 88788.
Resources
For a list of domestic violence resources, click HERE.
We’d love to speak with you and see how we can support.
If you’re a law enforcement agency or family member of one of the people we mentioned in this episode, or if you’re looking for more coverage on a case, please reach out. You can email us at:
Episode Source Material
- Original reporting by Nina Schutzman
- East Haven Police Department records
- Hartford Courant (11-6-2011) Accessed 10-24-2024)
Suggested Episodes
MURDERED: Jerry Greer
In 2009, 71-year-old Jerry Greer was found murdered in his home in Templeton, California. For more than 17 years, the case has gone unsolved. Two men have searched for answers: former San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Detective Clint Cole and Jerry’s son, Brian. Each has a theory, and they point in two different directions. Which one is right? And if they’re both wrong, who murdered Jerry Greer?
MURDERED: Nori Amaya
On Halloween night in 2009, 38-year-old D.C. restaurateur and salsa queen Nori Amaya went out dancing, came home alone, and was found strangled in her bed two days later. Police have DNA and hours of surveillance footage, but in a building full of people in Halloween masks, they’ve never been able to identify her killer. Sixteen years later, the key to solving this case could be a secret someone in Nori’s world is still keeping, or something that went missing from her apartment the night she died.
MURDERED: Cheryl Harris
In many cases we cover, the victim never saw it coming. In this case, 31-year-old Cheryl Harris seemed to know something bad was going to happen before her death in March 1985.
Join our Fan Club to listen to this episode and more!
Unlock all of the exclusive benefits and dynamic listening experience as a Crime Junkie Fan Club member.
Join the Fan Club now to reap the rewards!
