'Person Of Interest' In Woman's Death Found Hanging From Tree In Creek County

A body found hanging from a tree in Creek County has been confirmed to be that of Jose Acevedo, 48, according to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

Authorities announced May 11 they were searching for Acevedo as a "person of interest" in his ex-girlfriend's death.

Leticia Melendez Reyes, 26, was found May 8 in a parked vehicle alongside a Creek County road near Sapulpa. The couple's two young sons were alive with their mother's body next to them. 

5/8/2012 Related Story: Woman Found Dead In Car Parked On Creek County Road

Acevedo's body, dead by apparent suicide, was found on Sunday, about 75 yards from where Reyes' SUV was discovered earlier this month.

Jessica Brown, OSBI Public Information Officer, told News On 6 Acevedo's body was decomposing, but the agency was able to confirm its identity through fingerprints.

Brown said Acevedo hanged himself some time after the investigation began into Reyes' murder.

OSBI is still waiting for cause of death on Reyes.

As first reported by News On 6, Reyes filed for a protective order against Acevedo days before she turned up dead. In filing for the protective order, Reyes wrote Acevedo, who she listed as her ex-boyfriend, threatened her life. The couple shared a Tulsa apartment.

5/10/2012 Related Story: Woman Found Dead In SUV Had Just Filed Protective Order

The couple's children -- a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old – were taken into DHS custody the day Reyes' body was found. They are now in the custody of their grandparents, who live in Mexico.