A man has been found guilty of the murder of a Clewiston woman.
Rafael Montejo Luna was charged with second-degree murder after the crime was discovered in April 2021.
According to the State Attorney's Office, the victim's son contacted the Hendry County Sheriff's Office because he couldn't get in touch with her.
When deputies went to the home, they found her dead on the bedroom floor. Officials said the cause of death was asphyxiation by smothering.
Luna, who previously lived at the home, was asked to meet with law enforcement several times and agreed to do so but never showed up.
However, investigators discovered evidence that raised suspicion of Luna. The State Attorney's Office said his DNA was found under the victim's fingernails.
His cellphone was in the area at the time of the murder and license plate readers captured photos of his car driving in the area, according to the news release.
A warrant was then issued for Luna's arrest.
Luna fled to Cuba but was taken into custody by U.S. Customs and extradited to the U.S. to stand trial.
His sentencing is scheduled for September 10.