The suspect charged in the murder of a Paso Robles woman has pleaded not guilty.
The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office says Carlo Alberto Fuentes Flores, 42, was arraigned Thursday and pleaded not guilty.
He was arrested in December in connection with the disappearance and murder of Nancy Woodrum, 62. She was a popular hairdresser who was last seen alive in May.
In December, a felony complaint was filed against Fuentes Flores, which included a charge of murder, as well as special circumstances alleging the crime occurred during a rape or attempted rape and during the commission of a burglary. The complaint also said the murder was premeditated.
Investigators say Fuentes Flores was arrested after he led them to Woodrum’s body off Highway 58 in eastern San Luis Obispo County.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office says it identified Fuentes Flores as a suspect after conducting numerous interviews with people who may have come into contact with Woodrum.
Investigators still haven’t revealed a motive, but say Fuentes Flores was hired to paint the deck on Woodrum’s property in the week leading up to her disappearance.
A pre-preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday, January 7.
If convicted, the District Attorney’s Office says Fuentes Flores could face life in prison or the death penalty.
