The Willow Glen Resident

Woman, 20, found slain in Garfield Ave. home

Ex-husband sought for questioning in strangling death

By John Pancharian

Police are looking for the ex-husband of a 20-year-old woman found murdered in a Willow Glen apartment Aug. 13 in order to bring him in for questioning.

San Jose Police Sgt. Derek Edwards said Karina America Garcia was discovered at about 6:35 a.m. by the Garfield Avenue residents for whom she was baby-sitting. The coroner's office reports Garcia was strangled by a yellow metal chain found still in place around her neck.

San Jose police are currently looking for Garcia's ex-husband, Ismael Rojas Cortes, to question him in connection with the killing. Cortes did not show up for work Thursday, Edwards said.

According to the initial coroner's report, Garcia was found in a makeshift bed on the living-room floor. The residents of the apartment where Garcia was found told police she baby-sits for them and sleeps in the living room, while the family uses the bedroom. The SJPD classified the incident as a break-in and assault.

Barbara Cappa, manager of the apartments where Garcia was found, said residents gathered on the evening of Aug. 13 to share their experiences of the incident and try to console one another. Cappa said people were understandably upset but coping with the tragedy well.

"I think it pulled everyone together," she said, and added she does not believe this event makes Willow Glen any less safe.

"It makes you feel good to see people walking down the street here," Cappa said, "but this is very unsettling."

Edwards called the killing an isolated incident and said he did not believe the it was part of any new violent trend in Willow Glen.

This is the second murder in Willow Glen this year, following the June 13 stabbing death of 14-year-old Oscar Perez.

Cortes is described as 5 feet, 7 inches tall, about 160 pounds, Latino, 23 years old, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen driving a blue, mid-'80s Honda coupe with a damaged hood and right rear quarter panel.

Edwards asks anyone with information regarding Cortes' location to call SJPD sergeants Gary Kirby or Wayne Farquar at 277-5283, or to leave anonymous tips on the Crime Stoppers Line at 947-STOP.

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