$50K reward posted for fugitive in 2016 Krystal Mitchell slaying

SAN DIEGO - Authorities announced a five-figure reward today for information leading to the capture of a 37-year-old ex-Marine suspected of

fleeing the country after allegedly murdering his girlfriend at an Allied Gardens apartment nearly five years ago.

``Raymond McLeod will be the first fugitive in history on our 15 Most Wanted List with an initial reward of up to $50,000,'' said U.S. Marshal

Service Director Donald Washington. ``We want McLeod's new status as a 15-most-wanted fugitive and the $50,000 reward amount to be broadcasted far and wide.

McLeod poses a significant threat to the public and must be brought to justice.''

The former serviceman's girlfriend, 30-year-old Krystal Mitchell, was found beaten and strangled at an acquaintance's residence in the 7600 block of

Mission Gorge Road early on the afternoon of June 10, 2016. Mitchell and McLeod, both residents of Phoenix, Arizona, were in San Diego visiting friends at the time, according to police.

McLeod -- a single father and avid bodybuilder with a reputation as a heavy drinker and a history of domestic violence -- vanished following the

woman's violent death and has remained at large since, authorities said.

``Catching McLeod will not bring my daughter back, but would prevent this monster from killing someone else's mother, daughter or sister. It would

also mean that Krystal's children can sleep at night, knowing he's been stopped,'' said Mitchell's mother, Josephine Funes Wentzel.

``McLeod has a history of extreme violence against women and even a small child,'' she said. ``His tendency is to stalk his victims and strike when

they least expect it. He is a ticking time bomb that could go off at any moment, and I hope the public will take action and help us bring him to

justice.''

Investigators believe McLeod fled through Mexico to Central America, where he reportedly was sighted in Guatemala in 2017 and in Belize the

following year. The suspect, who often has gone by the nickname ``R.J.,'' now may be identifying himself as Matt or Mateo and is believed to have grown a beard as a disguise, investigators said.

McLeod is described as a 5-foot-11-inch white man with brown hair, hazel eyes and prominent tattoos on his chest and arms. At the time of his

disappearance, he weighed about 245 pounds and had a muscular physique.

The public is advised to consider him armed and dangerous.

``The passage of time will never deter the marshals' fugitive investigation for McLeod,'' said U.S. Marshal Steve Stafford of the Southern

District of California. ``If anything, it fuels our determination. We will leave no stone unturned until he is brought to justice.''

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said, ``We're not going to let this defendant run from justice and get away with murder. Now that the case has been elevated by the U.S. Marshals and the reward for information is increased, it's our hope that someone will come forward so McLeod can be captured, returned to San Diego and held accountable for his brutal crime.''

Anyone who might be able to help authorities track down he suspect is asked to call the Marshals Service at 1-877-WANTED-2 or contact the agency

online at http://www.usmarshals.gov/tips.