A nurse who was allegedly murdered by a neighbor in Oregon just two weeks after her wedding had been planning to move in with her long-distance husband in Washington state, her family said.
Police discovered the body of Melissa Jubanet, 32, on Friday evening after a three-day search that led to the arrest of her neighbor, Bryce Jonathan Shubert, 27, who has been charged with second-degree murder.
The newlywed woman was reported missing Wednesday after she didn’t show up for her morning shift at St. Vincent Hospital in Southwest Portland. Co-workers called to check on her welfare, but police found no trace of her at her apartment.
Jubanet married Hawaiian Brian Lantero on Aug. 24 in Honolulu and had just returned to Oregon before her disappearance.
The newlyweds first met in Hawaii and have been dating for over a decade, flying back and forth to see each other a lot, but Lantero said he last heard from his new wife the morning she went missing, according to KHON.
Melissa’s stepmother, Imelda Lantero, told a local news station that Jubanet will remain in her apartment in Oregon because it’s closer to her work, while Lantero will stay with Melissa’s family in Washington state.
But after the wedding, Imelda Lantelo said Jubané plans to look for work in Washington so she can live with her new husband.
Since her alleged murder, her family has taken to social media to appeal for justice and try to preserve her memory.
Jubanet’s cousin, Jacques Marquez, has dedicated a section of his social media account to her, including changing his profile picture to “#JusticeForMelissaJubanet.”
“She had the kindest heart in the world and I wanted to create a space for everyone who interacted with her, who knew her, who was really close to her and who has fond memories of her,” Marquez said in an Instagram post.
Jubanez’s father also expressed his grief online.
“I am deeply hurting right now about my daughter, Melissa Jubanet. As the Beaverton Police Department has assured us, justice will be served soon for you,” Melissa’s father, Valentin Jubanet, wrote in a Facebook post.
“I believe in Almighty God and His only Son, the Lord God Jesus Christ. You are loved by many good people all over the world.”
Another cousin of Melissa’s, Onirobeth Allan, called on politicians to protect potential victims from bad actors.
“…Our government needs to protect (people like Melissa) and give us a chance to live in peace and happiness in this world, but unfortunately, they were taken advantage of and killed by someone very evil. I am calling on the government to make laws to protect good citizens,” he wrote in a Facebook post.