American Found Dead, Tortured in Mexico Cemetery Had Ankle Tied to Tree, Boyfriend Is Charged with Murder

Lous Hernandez, 61, has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the killing of Reyna Hernandez, authorities say

• Reyna Hernandez was last heard from on Feb. 26 before her body was found in Mexico in March

• Police charged Lous Hernandez with first-degree murder in connection with her killing, per reports

• Authorities allege Lous killed her and carried her body to Mexicali, Mexico

A man has been charged with murder in connection with the killing of Reyna Hernandez, a Washington State woman who was tortured and found dead in a cemetery in Mexico in March, per police.

Reyna, a 54-year-old hair salon owner from Renton, Wash., was missing for about two weeks before she was found with her hands and feet bound and with a gunshot wound to her head in Mexicali, Mexico, FOX 13 reported at the time, citing authorities.

Lous Hernandez, 61, has now been charged with first-degree murder in connection with her death, Renton Police announced on Monday.

Lous, who is identified by several news outlets as Louie Hernandez, was Reyna’s boyfriend, KING 5 reports. Immediately after Reyna's body was discovered in March, Lous was arrested on unrelated charges of drugs and ammunition possession, per Renton Police.

Reyna was last heard from on Feb. 26, prompting concern among her friends and family who said she was reliable and punctual about opening her salon every morning, local KIRO 7 reported at the time.

Reyna's sister Sara Carillo previously said Reyna was headed to see her boyfriend of 30 years before she disappeared, FOX 13. reported at the time.

Authorities allege that Lous shot Reyna in the head when she entered his home on Feb. 26, KOMO News reports. Lous then used his son's tools to transfer Reyna's body to her vehicle and drove down with it to Mexico, prosecutors claim.

At the cemetery in Mexicali, Lous allegedly tied Reyna's ankle to a tree and drove away, according to court documents reviewed by the outlet. Authorities allege Lous tied her body to the tree, backed into the area and took off, leading her body to be dragged out of the vehicle as it drove away, KOMO News reports.

Related: Missing American Found Tortured to Death in Mexico Cemetery: 'The Worst Possible Outcome'

It's not clear if a motive has been established in the alleged murder.

Renton Police told PEOPLE during the initial stages of the investigation that Reyna's death was being investigated as a "domestic violence crime."

During an investigation into her disappearance, Renton Police said their evidence indicated Reyna had been “taken against her will," KIRO 7 previously reported.

Carillo told the outlet that the last time she spoke with Hernandez was on Feb. 24, and that she "sounded happy."

Related: American Woman Found Tortured, Killed in Mexico Was Going to See Boyfriend Before She Disappeared: Family

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

The suspect is currently being held in Mexican jail while King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office works with DoJ to extradite him, Renton PD said in their statement. King County prosecutors have asked he be held on $5 million bail.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on People.