ORLANDO, FL – In a chilling turn of events, a Florida man’s wellbeing check led authorities to a grisly discovery, culminating in charges of first-degree murder and identity fraud. Jorge Javier Quintero, 41, is under arrest for allegedly murdering and dismembering his girlfriend, Carmen Elsa Escalante Carrera, 29, whose remains were found scattered in a suitcase, according to officials in Orange County.

The case unfolded after a friend of Quintero grew concerned by alarming messages he received, which suggested Quintero might be suicidal. The friend proceeded to inform law enforcement, leading officers to perform a wellness check at Quintero’s residence, per court documents.

Upon arrival at the home on Maribou Circle in Orlando, deputies encountered a disturbing scene — a blood-stained bathtub and a knife left behind. Meanwhile, Quintero was nowhere to be found, escalating their concerns.

Authorities then learned of another apartment linked to Quintero, where he and Escalante had been planning to move. Close proximity to the initial residence, this second location was no less unsettling. Deputies discovered evidence of violence, including blood-stained towels and women’s clothing consistent with Escalante’s belongings.

Surveillance video analysis revealed a male figure, believed to be Quintero, leaving the first apartment early in the morning on Oct. 29. Efforts to locate Escalante proved fruitless until a phone ping led investigators to Seminole County, Georgia, hundreds of miles away.

Quintero reportedly rented a truck on Oct. 27, which was supposed to be returned the following day. The vehicle, however, was not returned on time, adding to the puzzling circumstances surrounding Escalante’s disappearance.

License plate readers captured the rental truck traveling across state lines, with images showing a suspicious figure shrouded in a trash bag. Law enforcement hypothesized it resembled a human body, heightening their belief of foul play.

Two days after the initial wellness check, authorities caught up with Quintero in Saraland, Alabama, who was still driving the rented vehicle. During a confrontation with U.S. Marshals, shots were exchanged, leaving Quintero hospitalized in critical condition.

A subsequent discovery was made along a highway stretch in Georgia near the Alabama border, where a suitcase containing human remains was located. These remains, according to law enforcement, belonged to Escalante and bore the marks of a gruesome murder.

Detectives found that Escalante had been strangled, and her body was dismembered, aligning with the grim evidence compiled against Quintero. A detailed luggage tag on the suitcase linked her directly to the victim.

The case continues to unfold as Quintero receives medical treatment and authorities proceed with charges. This haunting series of events has left a trail of evidence stretching through several states, painting a disturbing picture of the alleged crime.