Salem, OR. – Official Release: Update: The state medical examiner’s autopsy has ruled the manner of death to be homicide; the individual had a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was also identified as missing person Priscilla Joann Aldana, age 43 of Salem. Aldana was reported missing on December 23, 2024.
On January 3, a body was located outside a burned structure on an abandoned lot and later identified as Aldana.
The investigation into Aldana’s disappearance led detectives to Erik Mauricio Meza as a suspect in the case. Meza, age 44 of Salem, and Aldana were in a domestic relationship.
Detectives and a contingent of tactical officers were following Meza and apprehended him without incident in the 500 block of 18 ST NE on Thursday night, January 9.
Meza was lodged at the Marion County Jail on the following charges:
Murder, second degree
Abuse of a corpse, second degree
Arson, second degree
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