A Colorado woman found buried behind a detached garage in Amarillo has been identified, while police say a suspect remains in custody as the homicide investigation continues.
The Amarillo Police Department identified the victim Friday as 31-year-old Faith Smith of Colorado. Her body was discovered Thursday in the 3100 block of Orange Street after homicide investigators received information that led them to the property.
According to APD, the Homicide Unit received a tip that “a female from Colorado had been shot and buried at an unknown location in Amarillo.”
Investigators were also given information about a vehicle where the shooting allegedly occurred. Police identified 48-year-old Leonard Torres as a possible suspect in the case.
Officers later located Torres driving what APD described as “the same suspected vehicle.” Police said Torres was taken into custody following a “short” pursuit.
As investigators gathered additional information, the case led them to the 3100 block of Orange Street. APD homicide investigators and the department's Crime Scene Investigation Unit located what police described as a burial site behind a detached garage that was under construction.
Smith's body was recovered from the site and is expected to undergo an autopsy as investigators work to determine additional details surrounding her death.
Torres was booked into the Potter County Detention Center on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to APD. Police have not announced a homicide charge against Torres.
