Jose Soto-Escalera arrested for murder of Tania Wise

Jose Soto-Escalera arrested for murder of Tania Wise

St. Lucie County, Fl- Sheriff Ken Mascara announced that Jose Soto- Escalera, 41, of the 2600 block of S.W. Cactus Circle in Port St. Lucie was arrested today and charged with two counts of first degree murder.

It has been 28 days since the body of Tania Wise and her unborn baby, Josiah Thomas, were found. She was abandoned along a desolate road in northwestern St. Lucie County.

Tania Wise

Tania Wise

“But in those days, our detectives, crime scene technicians and crime lab scientists have been piecing together the final moments of Tonya’s life,” said Sheriff Ken J. Mascara. “Today, the final piece of this puzzle has been put in place.”

https://www.facebook.com/stluciesheriff/videos/340757096495479/

According to the Sheriff, in piecing together this case, DNA evidence confirmed that Jose was the father of Josiah, that he made a phone call to her on the day she was killed and was also confirmed to be in the area where Tonya‘s body was found that night.

“This important information is not only thanks to digital forensic evidence, but to eye witnesses who confirmed seeing a truck matching the description of the one owned by Jose on Russo road the night that Tonya was murdered, Mascara said. “We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Tonya’s family and know that what took place today will begin to bring them closure in this horrible and tragic event.”

Escalera truck

Escalera truck

Escalera was transported to the St. Lucie County Jail. A bond amount was immediately available.

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  • Posted 6 years ago

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