Santeria Priest Sought in 2009 Missing Person Investigation That Led to ... - NBC Southern California
A Santeria priest is suspected in the 2009 disappearance of a woman whose remains were found earlier this month in the backyard of a Southern California home. Pablo Pinto Mata, who remains at large, was identified as a suspect in her disappearance, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Mata, known as a Santero who performed healing rituals in Montebello, also is wanted in connection with a sex assault involving a child, police said. Family members have been "cooperating," and investigators do not believe the family is involved in the missing person case, according to authorities. The homeowner says Mata showed up uninvited and said he wanted to perform a healing ritual alone in her backyard that would help heal her sick daughter. "Since the day that victim Chavez went missing, suspect Mata has been a person of interest," said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Lt. Victor Lewandowski. "He is also wanted by the Montebello and West Covina police departments for multiple sex crime felonies, including rape and sex acts with minor children. The victim's 1998 Honda Accord was found several days after she was last seen May 7, 2009 as she left her job at the East. Source: www.nbclosangeles.com
