YORK, Pa. — A York man was arrested Wednesday morning after police found the body of a woman who had been reported missing two days earlier.
Jose L. Rodriguez Ramos, 47, was arrested on a charge of criminal homicide in connection to the disappearance of Amaris Morales Berrios, 42. Police say the incident was domestic in nature.
According to Captain Daniel Lentz of the York City Police Department, Rodriguez Ramos was Morales Berrios's boyfriend of four years.
Court documents state Morales Berrios was last seen at a family party late January 13.
Witnesses told police the couple arrived separately at the party and while at the party, Rodriguez Ramos was acting strangely and attempting to secretly record Morales Berrios with his phone.
They also were both seen leaving the party separately, according to a witness. That was the last time Morales Berrios was seen.
Police began to investigate her disappearance as a missing person case, but received information that changed the course of the investigation.
"Some family members of the suspect had heard from the suspect so they informed us and that triggered our investigation in a different manner," said Captain Lentz.
Witnesses also told police that Rodriguez Ramos was extremely violent and jealous of Morales Berrios, even with other family members.
Morales Berrios's body was found in a bed inside the couple's home on Priority Road around midnight on January 17.
"It was a significant amount of time before we even knew this could possibly be a homicide," Captain Lentz explained. "The victim was laying in the bed covered in a comforter and the suspect [had been] packing his stuff up so he had all these items stacked on the bed so it wasn't until our officers got information that she was in the bed and they started to move the boxes and everything like that [that] they found the victim."
Police say Rodriguez Ramos killed Morales Berrios with a knife and her throat was slit.
Investigators learned the couple had an argument on Saturday.
According to court documents, Morales Berrios told a witness that during that argument, Rodriguez Ramos made several slashing motions across his throat while looking at her.
Police believe the murder happened early Sunday morning.
"We learned that the victim and the suspect had some arguments and there was some domestic violence going back some time," said Captain Lentz. "Unfortunately this is the sad outcome."
After he allegedly killed Morales Berrios, police say Rodriguez Ramos fled the area but ultimately came back to York, where officers took him into custody Wednesday morning.
Morales Berrios was the mother of three children, according to police.
"This one was really rough for us. I know I was at a distance throughout this investigation, but working with the detectives and seeing what they went through and just how it evolved from a missing person to ultimately a homicide, I can tell you this one really hurts our heart," said Captain Lentz.
It's a case that has police sending an important message to the broader community.
"If any individual out there is a victim of domestic violence, now's the time to take action," said Captain Lentz. "Call the national domestic violence hotline... there are so many resources out there that can help you escape. Nobody should have to be in a relationship of fear and I encourage them to seek help.
Rodriguez Ramos is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 31, court records show.
An autopsy will be conducted to determine the official cause of Morales Berrios's death.