A 57-year-old Cheyenne man could face 20 years to life in prison after allegedly killing his 21-year-old girlfriend.

Emigdio Lara made his initial appearance in Laramie County Circuit Court via video conference this (Thursday) afternoon.

Cheyenne police were called to Anong's restaurant at 620 Central Avenue around 11:45 a.m. on June 26 after Victoria Juarez's body was found in the basement.

Police say Lara, who was working at the restaurant and living in the basement, was seen on surveillance camera letting Juarez inside the business around 8 a.m. The two then went downstairs, out of view of the camera.

Shortly after 9 a.m., Lara was seen walking up the stairs with blood on his hands and face.

According to an affidavit, Juarez had several cuts on her left arm, stomach and neck and an extension cord wrapped around her neck. She also had injuries that suggested she'd been beaten with a pipe wrench that was found near her body.

A warrant for second-degree murder was issued for Lara on June 28 and he was arrested yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon after a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper spotted him hitchhiking on Interstate 80 just east of Cheyenne.

Lara's bond was set at $50,000 cash. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 14 at 10 a.m.

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