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Coalinga Woman Reported Missing Found Dead, Two Arrested
ANTHONY SITE PHOTO
By Anthony W. Haddad
Published 5 minutes ago on
October 13, 2025

Two men have been arrested in connection with the death of 50-year-old Isabel Lucas Velasco, a Coalinga woman who was reported missing on Sept. 13 and later found along Highway 198 in rural Fresno County. (Fresno County SO)

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Two men have been arrested in connection with the death of a Coalinga woman whose disappearance prompted a month-long search.

Isabel Lucas Velasco, 50, was reported missing on Sept. 13 after being last seen at a jobsite in Arroyo Grande on Sept. 12, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office.

Alejandro Soriano Ortiz (left), 45, of Coalinga, was arrested on murder and arson charges, while his brother, Celestino Soriano Ortiz, 40, of Santa Maria, was booked as an accessory to murder and in connection with the arson. (Fresno County SO)
Alejandro Soriano Ortiz (left), 45, of Coalinga, was arrested on murder and arson charges, while his brother, Celestino Soriano Ortiz, 40, of Santa Maria, was booked as an accessory to murder and in connection with the arson. (Fresno County SO)

On Saturday, Fresno and San Luis Obispo County sheriff’s search teams located a body along Highway 198 west of Coalinga, believed to be Lucas Velasco.

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Authorities said the body was turned over to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Coroner Office to confirm the identification.

Alejandro Soriano Ortiz, 45, of Coalinga, was arrested on charges of murder and arson in connection with burning the victim’s vehicle.

His brother, Celestino Soriano Ortiz, 40, of Santa Maria, was arrested as an accessory to murder and in the arson case.

Alejandro Soriano Ortiz s believed to have been Lucas Velasco’s former boyfriend, authorities said.

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Authorities said the investigation remains active and urged anyone with information to contact the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at (805) 781-4500.

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Anthony W. Haddad,
Multimedia Journalist
Anthony W. Haddad, who graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with his undergraduate degree and attended Fresno State for a MBA, is the Swiss Army knife of GV Wire. He writes stories, manages social media, and represents the organization on the ground.

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