Man On Run After Murdering Girlfriend, Dumping Her Body In Nature Park

Police in Oregon are seeking help to locate a 43-year-old man accused of murdering his girlfriend and dumping her body in a nature park last week.

Jose Antonio Caraballo, currently on the run, is wanted for murdering his girlfriend, 27-year-old Kathryn Muhlbach, whose body was discovered at Powell Butte Nature Park on Dec. 9, the Portland Police bureau said in a news release Monday.

The investigation began after a medical examination revealed that Muhlbach's death was caused by homicidal violence.

Meanwhile, officials have not revealed details regarding the injuries sustained by the victim or the exact location where the body was discovered. It is also unclear who found the body first and alerted the cops.

Muhlbach was reported missing on Dec. 7 after she could not be reached by her family. Two days later, cops discovered her body in the park a mile away from her home.

Caraballo has been identified as the suspect in the case, and a nationwide arrest warrant has been issued against him on the charge of murder in the second degree (Domestic Violence), police were cited as saying by Law & Crime.

The victim's sister, Jen Keller, said the family is in shock after Muhlbach's tragic death. "We reported her missing, and Friday, she was found a mile from her home, brutally murdered...The pain is immense, and we're just in shock. It hurts. It's pain. Our world has changed. Nothing seems the same," Keller told 10 News San Diego.

Keller said the victim, who was originally from San Diego, moved to Portland along with Caraballo a few years back, where the couple operated a moving and storage company.

The family recently grew concerned for Muhlbach's safety after learning Caraballo was reportedly abusive towards her. "We've been hearing he was being abusive towards her, but never could have imagined it would lead to her death," Keller said.

The officials believe Caraballo has fled the Portland area, and his last known address is within the Portland city limits. Caraballo is known to have contacts in Oregon, California, and Mexico, police said.

Anyone who spots Caraballo or has information that could lead to his arrest has been asked to immediately call 911 or leave an anonymous tip at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com.

"Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers cash rewards of up to $2,500 for information, reported to Crime Stoppers of Oregon, that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime, and tipsters can remain anonymous," the news release said.