New report details: A Phoenix woman was found dead next to her alleged stalker in a parking lot

PHOENIX (AZ Family) — Details of a recently published report which led to the death of a woman from the Valley after her body was found next to that of her alleged stalker inside a car in the parking lot of a Phoenix steakhouse in July.

According to a report from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office, 25-year-old Doris Aguilar died from a gunshot wound to the head. Her death was ruled a homicide.

Aguilar was last seen on July 1 and reported missing the next day.

The report said 51-year-old Juan Cuellar, the man who reportedly killed her, was a Lyft driver who lived in his car and was known to park in the Longhorn Steakhouse parking lot nearby 75th Avenue and Encanto Blvd. Officials say a friend who had repeatedly checked on Cuellar went to the parking lot on July 3 to bring him food.

There he found Cuellar and Aguilar inside the car. He thought they were asleep, so he “went away without disturbing them.” However, when he returned four days later, on July 7, he found them in the same position and called 911.

The arriving ambulance team declared both dead at the scene. Cuellar had a firearm in his lap and authorities say he took his own life.

Investigators assumed that their bodies had been lying in the car for several days.

Doris Aguilar, 25, disappeared on July 1.(Steve Fisher)

Aguilar was reported missing by family members on July 2 after she was last seen leaving her home. Her phone was switched off and her car was found outside Christtown Spectrum Mall in downtown Phoenix. Most of her belongings were in the car, except for her cell phone and car keys, the report said.

According to the report, surveillance video showed her arriving at the mall parking lot on the evening of July 1 and getting into Cuellar’s car before they drove off.

During the investigation, authorities found a notebook inside the car that appeared to be Cuellar’s handwritten notes about Aguilar detailing his feelings for her.

However, authorities found one entry that allegedly mentioned Aguilar’s death: “It was an accident… I had a gun on the side of my chair and she picked it up. She didn’t know the fuse was off. I went to grab the gun and it went off. I panicked and left. I know it will be my fault no matter what. I couldn’t be without her in my life, so I also went to see if I could find her. I have a big heart, and she always has it.”

Police did not confirm any of Cuellar’s statements in his notebook.

Authorities say the note goes on to say Cuellar carried her body, talked to her while she was in shock and changed her clothes because he “didn’t want her to be dirty.” The note goes on to read: “I hope she can forgive me. Please tell my family it was an accident and also my children, please forgive me.’

The report said other notes contained suicidal notes from Cuellar, and others appeared to be angry at Aguilar.

A private detective who works for the Aguilar family Arizona’s family previously said this evidence suggests that she was killed elsewhere and placed in the car to make it look like she killed herself.

Family members said Cuellar had previously harassed Aguilar and that they worked together in the same building until he was fired about a year ago.

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