A nationwide investigation is underway for the man accused of killing Ramona native Kathryn Muhlbach, a mother of two in Oregon.
The Portland Police Bureau announced Monday that a nationwide arrest warrant was issued for 43-year-old Jose Antonio Caraballo for the murder of his girlfriend, whose body was discovered on Dec.9 at Powell Butte Nature Park.
She was 27 years old.
Authorities believe Caraballo fled the Portland area, and his last address is known to be within Portland city limits. He is known to have associates in Chula Vista, Ramona, in the San Diego area, Oregon, and Mexico, according to Portland Police.
Muhlbach lived in San Diego county until 2020, when she moved to Portland, Oregon with Carabello. Her family described her as loving and an amazing mother to her two sons, ages 4 years and 9 months. A GoFundMe campaign was created by the family to help support the two boys and their necessities.
“She genuinely loved everything that she did. Her personality was out of this world. She was just an all-around amazing person,” said Markie Battasti, younger sister of Muhlbach. “Anyone would have been lucky to have met her."
The family noticed Muhlbach called in less often, which raised concern.
“She stopped calling as much as she normally would. She never flat out, came out, and asked for help. She was a strong woman, but towards the end, we started noticing some weird things,” Battisti said.
Battisti says when loved ones couldn't reach Muhlbach, they knew something was wrong. Family members drove to Portland— which is more than 1,000 miles from San Diego—and reported her missing.
Authorities discovered Muhlback on Dec. 9 at 3:16 p.m. in Powell Butte Nature Park, 16160 Southeast Powell Boulevard. The cause and manner of death are yet to be determined by the medical examiner.
Carabello’s trick was later found abandoned on the I-5 near the Oregon and California border. Police believe Caraballo likely fled the Portland area after the killing and is now on the run.
Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers cash rewards of up to $2,500 for information, reported to Crime Stoppers of Oregon, that leads to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime, and tipsters can remain anonymous. Secure and anonymous tips can be left at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com or visit the APP Store and download P3 Tips for smartphones or tablets.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact Detective Jennifer Hertzler at Jennifer.Hertzler@police.portlandoregon.gov (503)823-1040 or Detective Joe Corona Joseph.Corona@police.portlandoregon.gov (503)823-0508. Reference case number 22-326621.
