BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Authorities have arrested a man after his estranged wife was reported missing last week from Central Broward.
Jose Luis Pacheco, 36, was taken into custody Monday night in Hialeah by detectives with the Broward Sheriff’s Office’s Violence Intervention Proactive Enforcement Response (VIPER) Unit with assistance from the Miami-Dade Police Department.
According to authorities, Pacheco’s wife, Mimose Dulcio, 39, was reported missing Saturday after she had last been seen around 5:30 p.m. Thursday at her home.
“Investigators with BSO’s Missing Persons Unit searched for Dulcio and investigated the circumstances surrounding her disappearance before the case was transferred to BSO’s Homicide Unit,” BSO spokeswoman Gerdy St. Louis wrote in a news release. “During their investigation, detectives met with Pacheco, who stated he had not seen or heard from Dulcio in a couple of days and that they were in the process of getting a divorce.”
Dulcio’s relatives told Local 10 News that they found her cellphone smashed and hidden between her couch cushions.
Her credit cards were still in her home, they said.
“We need her very much,” her brother, Nevile Dulcio, said.
Detectives eventually obtained a search warrant for the couple’s home and shared vehicle.
St. Louis said investigators found evidence that suggested that Mimose Dulcio had been murdered in the home and that her body had been transported in Pacheco’s 2018 white Dodge Charger before being disposed of at an unknown location.
“Unfortunately, this case took a turn for the worst,” said St. Louis. “What we would have wanted was to find Mimose alive and well, however that was not the case, we hope the fact that we have made an arrest in this case that it brings some sort of justice to the family.”
Mimose’s sister Seminta Dulcio told Local 10 News’ Sanela Sabovic “When I noticed she didn’t answer the phone or respond to my wellness check text message I just--something wasn’t sitting well with me.”
While Dulcio’s family is dealing with a devastating loss, her work family is also grieving.
Dulcio worked for the city of Fort Lauderdale. The city manager released this statement reading in part:
“Her colleagues remember Mimose for her bright smile and dedication to her work. our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time.”
On Tuesday, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission, made time to honor Dulcio’s life and service.
“She was only 39 years old and she worked for our department of sustainable development,” said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis.
Loved ones and neighbors knew the victim was in the process of divorcing Pacheco.
“The lady was very nice with everybody,” said one neighbor.
Investigators are still working to locate Dulcio’s body and are asking the public if they have seen the car, the dodge charger, over the weekend or any usual activity surrounding this car to please call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-7477.
A warrant for Pacheco’s arrest was issued Monday night.
Pacheco is being held without bond at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on one count of second-degree murder.
He is expected to soon be transferred to the Broward County Main Jail.
Christian De La Rosa also contributed to this story.