On the morning of November 17, North Charleston police were called to a Donaree Village apartment for a welfare check — and discovered 34-year-old Laury Villalobos Soler lying lifeless beside her bed. What began as a simple concern for her well-being quickly escalated into a full homicide investigation.
Coroner Brittney Martin later confirmed the victim’s identity, revealing that Villalobos Soler was originally from Venezuela. While the official autopsy results are still pending, early signs led authorities to believe she died during a violent domestic confrontation.
Police say suspicion immediately fell on her 38-year-old ex-boyfriend, Luis Oscar Ocanto. After the tragic discovery, Ocanto fled and was found nearly 200 miles away in Kingsland, Georgia, pulled over for speeding on Interstate 95. During the traffic stop, officers ran his name—and realized he was wanted in connection to Villalobos Soler’s death.
Ocanto was arrested without incident and taken to the Camden County Jail in Woodbine, Georgia, where he’s now facing a murder charge and an additional count for possession of a stolen vehicle. Police say the car he was driving was reported stolen from North Charleston.
North Charleston detectives say they will extradite Ocanto back to South Carolina to face prosecution. While the legal process is underway, officials are piecing together what happened in the days and hours leading up to the killing. Investigators are combing through evidence from the apartment, interviewing friends and witnesses, and constructing a timeline of Ocanto’s movements.
For those who knew her, the loss of Villalobos Soler cuts deep. Loved ones describe her as kind, resilient, and full of love — a woman whose life was tragically cut short. In the wake of her death, the community is demanding answers and praying for justice.
As of now, the coroner’s office has not released a final cause of death, and extradition timing depends on Georgia’s court process. But authorities say they are confident Ocanto will soon be returned to South Carolina to face the charges.
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