Boyfriend a ‘Person of Interest' in Woman's Suspicious Death

San Diego police say Raymond McLeod, 32, is a person of interest in the suspicious death of his girlfriend, Krystal Mitchell, 30

San Diego police are searching for a man now considered a person of interest in the suspicious death of his girlfriend, who was found lifeless in an apartment in Allied Gardens Friday.

According to the San Diego Police Department (SDPD), U.S. Marine veteran Raymond McLeod, 32, is being sought for questioning in the death of Krystal Mitchell, 30.

The couple is from Phoenix, Arizona. They were in San Diego visiting friends when their trip took a tragic turn.

Investigators say a friend of the couple called police just after 1:15 p.m. Friday to report Mitchell was not breathing inside an apartment in the 7600 block of Mission Gorge Road.

When medics arrived, they discovered Mitchell was dead. SDPD Homicide Unit detectives deemed her death suspicious but offered little details beyond that she had trauma to her chest area as the investigation is ongoing. 

Police identified Mitchell on Saturday and said the last time she was seen alive was when she was with McLeod.

Detectives believe McLeod, for unknown reasons, fled San Diego after his girlfriend’s death and likely headed south to Mexico. According to police, McLeod fled in a larger, newer, white, four-door Lexus or Infinity with temporary Arizona paper plates.

The car may have been abandoned near the border or at airport or rental car locations.

At this time, he is wanted by police for questioning.

“I think it’s pretty crazy,” neighbor Frankie Tarantino said. “I got my kids. They run around the complex."

“I love living here, think it’s a good area,” neighbor Thomas Faucher said. “The fact it happened right above my apartment is pretty crazy, puts some things in perspective.”

The SDPD released a flyer with McLeod’s photographs and personal details Saturday in hopes of tracking down his whereabouts.

The Marine is described as 5-foot-11 and 215 pounds. Police said he may have access to weapons.

"This place is very quiet," neighbor Jan Schwartz said. "Hope they catch him. Hope they resolve it."

Anyone with information on McLeod, his vehicle or his whereabouts can contact the SDPD Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or SDPD dispatch at (619) 531-2000, or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

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