Extradition of Suspect in Moses Lake Woman’s Murder Delayed

A man charged with murder in the disappearance of Moses Lake resident Yanira Cedillos will stay in an Oregon jail with the extradition process moved back to June.

Juan Gastelum is charged in Grant County with second-degree murder and second-degree rape, and is being held in the Umatilla County Jail in Oregon on $1 million bail.

KPQ news partner i FIBER ONE reports Gastelum in March declined to waive his right to an extradition hearing that would have let police take him to Grant County without a hearing.

He now has a June 2 court date.

Gastelum is also expected to request an identification hearing to confirm he is the person being sought in Grant County, which will further delay his extradition.

He was arrested at his home in Hermiston, Oregon after Cedillos was reported missing on March 4.

Police say Gastelum had given Cedillos a ride to her apartment the night before after she had been out celebrating her birthday, and was at her apartment for hours.

Officers believe Gastelum murdered her during that time and moved her body to another location that they have not been able to locate.

Cedillos family is asking for public help with information on locating her body.