News

Actions

Family and friends remember Aurora teen found dead at motel, search for alleged killer continues

Arturo Garcia is wanted for first-degree murder
Posted at 11:41 AM, Jul 09, 2017
and last updated 2017-07-09 13:41:51-04

AURORA, Colo. -- Family and friends remembered the life of Ally Raber knowing her alleged killer is still on the loose.

Raber's ex-boyfriend, Arturo Garcia,has been on the run ever since he left an Aurora motel where her body was found. Surveillance video shows him running to the dumpster, dropping several items and taking off to the east.

A week after her death, funeral services are being held for 18-year-old Raber. She just graduated from Eaglecrest High School in May and recently joined the Navy.

"She was going into the Navy she was going to do big things and I just hope that her family gets the peace that they deserve," said Kylee Ziegler, a high school friend.

Her friends say Raber was very caring and she had a big heart. They wore purple to her funeral services because it was her favorite color.

Family members wanted to focus on celebrating the teen's life but until Garcia is found, they remain uneasy.

"He’s a dangerous guy. I don’t want to see anybody else get hurt," said Andy Starrett, her stepdad.

Garcia was released from jail nine days before he allegedly killed Raber. She had a protection order against him but according to court documents a friend dropped them off at the Knight's Inn Motel. Her body was discovered the next morning, on July 2.

Court documents show Garcia had police called on him at least four other times between October 2016 and July 2017 for domestic-violence related incidents.

The documents detail multiple instances in which Garcia allegedly choked, beat or threatened Raber and her family, and that he also tried to extort several of Raber’s family members for money with nude photos of Raber, including her mother and grandmother, among others.