International fugitive accused of killing beloved metro Atlanta teacher

MARIETTA, Ga. — An international fugitive is accused of killing a beloved Marietta Middle School teacher.

Juan Lazaro-Abrego remains on Cobb County’s “Most Wanted” list for allegedly strangling Elizabeth Bowie to death in July of 2008.

12 years after Bowie’s death, there’s a renewed plea for help.

“I laid on the floor and cried and cried,” said Becky Bowie, Elizabeth’s mother.

Becky Bowie recalled the moment police discovered her daughter’s body inside a Smyrna apartment. At the time, Becky said she didn’t realize it was a homicide.

“God spoke to me and said, ‘Becky, I prepared your heart that day on the floor for what I knew that you would know very soon,’” said Becky Bowie.

TRENDING:

• Contractor backs out of massive battery plant deal expected to bring 2,000 jobs to north Georgia
• Gwinnett police respond to viral video showing officer shocking woman with Taser
• One of the largest cranes in the country to install new pedestrian bridge in Atlanta

Cobb County’s major crimes unit and the U.S. Marshals are still trying to track down Lazaro-Abrego. He was Elizabeth Bowie’s boyfriend. Investigators say he strangled her to death. They believe Lazaro-Abrego could be hiding in Mexico.

“I want to believe he’s alive and I want to believe he’ll mess up one day and I want to believe he’ll be caught,” said Becky Bowie. “What he doesn’t realize is that I’m the best friend he’s got on earth in spite of killing my daughter.”

Becky believes forgiveness is the only way to let go of anger and bitterness. She has faith that one day she can speak to the accused killer in court.

“You can make the best choice of your life, Juan, and that is to accept Jesus Christ. You can also make the worse choice in your life, worse that killing Elizabeth and that is not to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. If that’s your choice and you think you’ve been living hell on earth, you ain’t seen nothing yet,” said Becky Bowie.

The Cobb County District Attorney’s Office asks the public to contact the Cobb Sheriff’s Office at (770) 499-4633, or your local law enforcement agency with information.

Cox Media Group