A significant breakthrough has been made in the investigation surrounding the murder of Tabatha Tozzi, as authorities have successfully apprehended Oswaldo Nathanahel Perez-Sanchez in Mexico. This arrest comes nearly two years after law enforcement made a promise to Tozzi’s grieving family to pursue justice diligently.
However, the situation is complicated by new allegations against Perez-Sanchez, who is now also suspected of being involved in the death of another young woman, Vivian Karely. Federal officials report that the quest for justice connected to both cases is far from over.
The capture of Perez-Sanchez was confirmed by Gary Schofield, U.S. Marshal for the District of Nevada, who stated that the efforts to locate him were relentless, underscoring the dangers posed by violent felons on the run. “Yes, there was a concern that he could kill somebody else, which is the reason that we pursue violent felons,” Schofield noted in a recent interview.
Arrested in Sonora, Mexico, Perez-Sanchez is now linked to both Tozzi’s murder and the recent tragic death of Karely, whose body was discovered in Culiacán earlier this month. The violent nature of both murders adds another layer of sorrow for the families affected.
In response to the arrest, Schofield expressed relief for the families impacted by these tragedies, but acknowledged the unfortunate circumstance involving Karely’s death. “To see that he’s in custody is a good thing. Unfortunately, to find out that another family has been victimized down in Mexico is a tragic outcome for them,” he said.
Despite the two-year delay in capturing Perez-Sanchez, Schofield emphasized that the case never went cold. “We were going to relentlessly pursue him until all leads were exhausted, and there was never a time that it was a cold case,” he affirmed.
The mourning family members have been engaged in a public fight for justice since the murder of their loved ones. Regina Lacerda, Tozzi’s mother, has been vocal about her desire for accountability, stating, “I stand with her family now. We will fight for justice together.” She expressed her heartbreak upon learning of another family being thrust into similar anguish.
Lacerda elaborated on the emotional toll of losing a daughter to such a heinous act, calling it a pain no mother should endure. “I am heartbroken that the mother will be going through what I have gone through these last two years. It is very painful to lose your daughter, especially through a horrible femicide. No mother deserves this, and I want the family to know that I am here to support them and will fight with them for justice.”
As details of Perez-Sanchez’s facilitation during his time on the run emerge, Schofield indicated that authorities are focusing on individuals who may have helped him evade capture. “We’ve taken some aggressive steps to identify individuals that knowingly harbored him. I can’t tell you that they will all be prosecuted, but they know who they are,” he stated regarding the ongoing investigation.
When asked about the legal implications for anyone identified as aiding Perez-Sanchez, Schofield confirmed that such individuals could face charges for harboring a fugitive. “You’re harboring and aiding a fugitive, and you also have to live with your own conscience about what you did,” he remarked.
Although Perez-Sanchez is currently in custody in Mexico, the complexities of international law raise uncertainty about his potential extradition to the U.S. Under a treaty between Mexico and the United States, extradition may not be straightforward, particularly if the suspect could face life sentences or capital punishment.
“Justice isn’t done yet,” Schofield said, indicating that both the district attorney and the attorney general in Sinaloa are now involved in the next stages of the legal process. He acknowledged that navigating the extradition could take years and may not happen at all, leaving both families in a painful limbo as they seek closure and accountability.
For now, Perez-Sanchez’s future remains uncertain as he faces serious allegations in Mexico, with U.S. authorities continuing to advocate for justice for the two young women whose lives were tragically cut short. Until further developments occur, the families of Tozzi and Karely stand united in their fight for accountability and closure amid this deeply disheartening series of events.
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