Mission Valley, CA: Ex-San Diegan suspected in wife's slaying arrested 15 years later

BY JOSE LUIS JIMÉNEZ, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
MONDAY, MARCH 22, 2010 AT 9:30 P.M.

SAN DIEGO — A husband suspected of killing his wife more than 15 years ago was arrested in Reno, Nev., on suspicion of murder Monday afternoon, the Sheriff’s Department said.

Russell Upton, 36, was arrested after new evidence was developed, said the Sheriff’s Department, which declined to talk about the new evidence.

Marilane Abueg, 20, of Mission Valley, was reported missing by her parents on Aug. 20, 1995. Her body was found four days later about eight miles north of Interstate 8 on Kitchen Creek Road in Pine Valley, the Sheriff’s Department said.

The Medical Examiner’s Office later ruled her death a homicide. The exact cause of death was never made public because the case was sealed by authorities.

Her husband, Russell Upton, said in an interview at the time he last saw his wife the night of Aug. 17, 1995. Upton said Abueg left for a walk after the couple argued over money. The then 21-year-old husband said he recently returned her wedding ring to the jewelers to pay rent on their apartment.

Upton also said he was told by detectives he was the prime suspect in his wife’s death and that his car was seized as part of the investigation.