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Fairfax Co. police make arrest in 1991 murder case

Chief Kevin Davis announced the arrest Monday, more than 30 years after the crime.

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — More than three decades later, police in Fairfax County say they have a man in custody for murder. Police Chief Kevin Davis said an arrest has been made in a case dating back to 1991. Davis announced the arrest of Jose Cruz on Monday.

Davis told WUSA9 that Cruz was wanted for the brutal stabbing of his estranged wife Ana Jurado on April 30, 1991. Investigators said a neighbor called police after hearing a scream when Cruz confronted Jurado. 

When officers arrived at the scene, Jurado, 24, was found on the side of the Gouthier Road in Falls Church. Through the course of their investigation, detectives obtained an arrest warrant charging Cruz with first-degree murder. That's when Cruz left the country, Davis said. 

The chief said Cruz has been living in El Salvador for more than 30 years. Recently, Cruz traveled to Costa Rica. While in Costa Rica, law enforcement there detained Cruz, and worked with the Department of Justice to extradite Cruz back to Virginia on the murder charge. He arrived back in Fairfax County on Jan. 18. 

"We just extradited him a couple of days ago back to Fairfax County where he can finally be held accountable for the brutal stabbing of his then-wife," Davis said. 

Cruz's next court hearing is set for April 4. 

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