NEILLSVILLE, Wis — The body of a woman who went missing in western Wisconsin four years ago has been found, the Wisconsin Dept. of Justice announced Tuesday.
“This case has been on our minds for years," said Clark County Sheriff Scott Haines in a statement. “Our hearts and thoughts go out to the family and friends of Cassandra Ayon.”
Ayon was last seen leaving a friend's home in the early morning hours of Oct. 3, 2020. Her stepfather contacted authorities the next day to report she didn't come home, and when he and her mother tried to call it went to voicemail, the criminal complaint states. Friends she had plans with also couldn't reach her.
Court documents state Ayon had two children with her ex-boyfriend Jesus Contreras-Perez, and that before she disappeared she told a friend he was stalking and physically abusive to her. She also told a coworker that Contreras-Perez had said "If she ever cheated on him, he knew where to hide Ayon’s body so that no one would ever find it," the complaint says.
Despite her body not initially being found, Contreras-Perez was charged with first-degree intentional homicide, hiding a corpse, and stalking resulting in bodily harm. He was found guilty on all counts at a jury trial in 2022.
“Although we were pleased with the outcome of the trial and felt that justice had been done on behalf of Cassandra Ayon, we never stopped looking for her,” said Clark County District Attorney Melissa Inlow in a statement.
That search ended this past weekend, when officials say her remains were found on private property near CTH P and Abe Lincoln Road in the Town of Brighton.
“We hope that the discovery of her remains lends a sense of closure and finality to her family and everyone who misses and mourns her," Inlow said.
“My heart goes out to Cassandra’s family and friends,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul in a statement. “Thank you to everyone who has worked to get justice and help provide answers in this appalling case.”
Contreras-Perez was sentenced in Sept. 2022 to life in prison and is not eligible for release to extended supervision.