Who Killed Vianela Tavera? Missing Woman's Body Found In Philadelphia Home Basement

The body of missing woman Vianela Tavera, a mother of five, was found Sunday in the basement of a North Philadelphia house. Tavera went missing July 28 and an investigation into her disappearance led to search efforts in three states.

The body was reportedly found after neighbors reported of a foul odor coming from a basement apartment for the last four or five days. When the landlord arrived at the house for inspection, he found the decomposing body and immediately called the police.

Police said Tavera was last seen leaving her home in New York for Philadelphia to meet her boyfriend. Her daughter Mailin said of her disappearance at the time, “She went to Philadelphia and she never came back.”

Last Monday, police arrested Tavera's boyfriend 38-year-old Luis Negron-Martinez on charges of stealing her car. Police also said they found a handgun inside the vehicle, which was located in Virginia.

Negron-Martinez is being held without bond at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center on charges of grand larceny and possession of a concealed weapon. It is unclear if he was the one who killed Tavera.

“We believe she made it to her destination, but also believe she may have been harmed,” Fairfax County police said Friday. Police departments in New York and Philadelphia, as well as Pennsylvania State Police, were all involved in the investigation.

Prior to the public announcement of her death, Tavera’s cousin Yohani Rosado told Fox 29: “We decided to go to five hospitals just asking for unknown females in the last 8 days no one has walked in with her description. We just want answers.”

According to her daughter Mailin, Tavera’s lack of communication was very unusual.

“She would call us and tell us she was ok but this time she didn’t answer."

The 50-year-old was a school bus driver, and according to Mailin, Tavera never missed a day of work. Mailin also said her mother often traveled to Philadelphia to visit Negron-Martinez, who she was reportedly dating for over a year.

Police are investigating Tavera's cause of death and who killed her.