A man has been arrested in the case of a woman that has been missing in Pittsylvania County since 2016. According to the Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office, 56-year-old Roberto Escalante has been charged with first degree murder and class 5 felony abduction.

Multiple law enforcement agencies executed a search warrant at 2969 Moorefield Bridge Rd. on Monday looking for evidence in the disappearance of Soledad Najera, who lived at the residence. The search continued through Wednesday.

Najera was originally from Durango, Mexico. According to warrants, Escalante was married to Najera and originally claimed that she left him for another man when she went missing in 2016.

In October 2022, authorities received a call from Najera’s sister requesting an update on the investigation. The Pittsylvania County Sheriff’s Office then started its investigation.

On Tuesday, Escalante admitted helping another person kill Najera. She was duct taped and forced into a vehicle where she was then driven to a field in Pittsylvania County and murdered and buried.

Escalante is being held in Pittsylvania County Jail under no bond. He is scheduled to appear in court later today.

If convicted Escalante would face a sentence of 20 years to life for murder and one to ten years for abduction.