Police capture man accused in death of his mother

Published 8:27 am Thursday, October 13, 2011

Gulfport Police Chief Alan Weatherford says 29-year-old Ryan Allen Abeyta was arrested Wednesday in Semmes, Ala., by the U.S. Marshal’s Fugitive Task Force.

Weatherford says the search for Abeyta began Tuesday when a warrant was issued for his arrest in the death of his mother. Police say 56-year-old Pamela Santiago died of strangulation.

Weatherford says investigators believe the woman was killed at home Tuesday and her body was left in a wooded area near the home.

Weatherford says Abeyta was being held in a Mobile, Ala., jail awaiting extradition to Mississippi.