Body in pond identified as suspected victim

Pulaski County Coroner Richard New says a body which was found in a northern Pulaski County pond on Saturday is that of Irene Gutierrez — the 43-year-old Tennessee woman whom authorities say was killed late last month in Pulaski County by a Hispanic farm worker.

The suspected shooter — 34-year-old Mariano Garcia Aguilar (also known as Aguilar Mariana Garcia and Jose Guerra) — is still on the loose.

Gutierrez’ body was found floating in a pond near Hwy. 328 on a farm in an area where the suspect had previously worked. Sheriff’s units and detectives with the Pulaski County Major Crimes Task Force responded to the farm to investigate on Saturday.

The woman’s body was recovered by members of the Somerset-Pulaski County Rescue Squad and the Pulaski County Coroner’s Office.

Preliminary results of an autopsy show Gutierrez died from gunshot wounds. Investigators are still not disclosing the number of wounds or the location of the wounds.

The Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office in Frankfort used dental records to positively identify her body.

The Task Force had been investigating a report of a Grundy Road shooting since April 25. Evidence at the scene suggested that Gutierrez had been murdered, however, neither she nor her suspected shooter could be located.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Aguilar charging him with murder and tampering with physical evidence.

Detectives believe he may have fled to South Carolina. His vehicle was found there a few days after the shooting.

The public is encouraged to call the Task Force at (606) 678-5145 with information about the suspect. The information can be given anonymously.

The investigation is continuing by the county’s Coroner’s Office and Major Crimes Task Force — which consists of detectives with the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department, Somerset Police Department, and Kentucky State Police.