The U.S. Marshals Service and law enforcement officials in Illinois announced last week the arrest of a man, in connection with a Springfield woman found murdered in 2023.

KSDK reported that the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office announced Thursday that Gabriel Calixto was taken into custody in Mexico.

The arrest came more than two years after his girlfriend, 24-year-old Emma Shafer, was found stabbed to death in July 2023, according to WICA.

The State’s Attorney’s Office has charged Calixto with first-degree murder and aggravated domestic battery.

The search for Calixto began after his sister called 911, reporting that her brother may have harmed his girlfriend.

This isn’t Calixto’s first time facing the law. KSDK reported that he was previously convicted of the kidnapping of a Bethalto woman in 2018. Calixto reportedly faced federal charges in 2021 for illegal entry.

The search launched by the U.S. Marshals and Springfield, Illinois, police two years ago has resulted in Calixto’s arrest and the coordination of his extradition to Illinois.

[Feature Photo: Handout]