Man arrested for murder of California woman last seen alive in 2022

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced that a San Fernando man has been arrested in connection with the murder of a young mother who was found on the side of a freeway in Bakersfield.

According to LASD , Karla Terron’s burned body was found on the side of the 99 Freeway near the Hosking Avenue off-ramp in Bakersfield just before 5 a.m. on Dec. 17, 2022.

“The body of Karla Terron was found engulfed in flames and deceased on the southbound [side] of State Route 99,” deputies stated, adding that an autopsy later determined she died due to multiple stab wounds.

Terron had last been seen at a bar in the 100 block of North Hagar Street in San Fernando, officials said.

Previous reports indicate the 27-year-old mother of two went to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3834 before going to a residence in San Fernando where she was killed, according to authorities. Investigators believed her body was transported in the trunk of a white 2021 Honda CRV and dumped on the side of the freeway in Bakersfield.

“She was not affiliated with any kind of gang,” LASD Lt. Michael Modica said at a press conference in July. “She was a good, upstanding citizen.”

Over the last year and eight months, LASD detectives teamed up with CHP and the San Fernando Police Department to conduct an extensive investigation, which included the staging of two media conferences regarding the case.

Early Wednesday morning, authorities were able to serve a search warrant in the 1500 block of Knox Street in San Fernando, which led to an arrest warrant being issued.

The suspect, Juan Figueroa, 30, was taken into custody shortly after 5 a.m. and booked at the San Fernando Police Station for murder.

Inmate search records indicate he is being held on $1 million bail.  His first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday at 8:30 a.m.

The investigation remains ongoing as detectives work to make additional arrests.

The case will be submitted to the Los Angeles County District Attorney for consideration.

Anyone with information surrounding the murder of Karla Terron is asked to contact LASD’s Homicide Bureau by calling 323-890-5500.

To submit information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-8477) or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org

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