Man arrested on suspicion of traffic offenses was husband of Cedarwood homicide victim, family said

Photos of Justina Altamirano Mosso, 19, provided by the Lawrence Police Department.

A 26-year-old Lawrence man who was arrested Thursday night after leaving the scene of an accident was the husband of Cedarwood Apartments homicide victim Justina Altamirano Mosso and lives in the apartment where she was found slain Nov. 9, Altamirano Mosso’s cousin said by email from Mexico.

Lawrence police arrested Felipe Cantu Ruiz in the 600 block of Iowa Street around 7:20 p.m. Thursday on suspicion of driving under the influence, leaving the scene of a non-injury accident, failure to report an accident and driving without a driver’s license, according to the Douglas County Jail booking log.

Cantu Ruiz was held in the jail without bond for about 18 hours before being released Friday afternoon, according to the booking log. He was released because the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office did not file any charges, the booking log said.

Altamirano Mosso’s cousin, Elizabeth Castro, said Altamirano Mosso and Cantu Ruiz were married and have a young daughter, Danna, who lives with Altamirano Mosso’s parents in Mexico.

Canto Ruiz’s address is listed on the booking log as 1727 W. 24th St., the address of the apartment complex where Altamirano Mosso was found dead in a scene police described as “violent.”

Lawrence Police Department spokespeople were not available for comment Friday.

Lawrence police have not announced any identified suspect or arrests in connection with Altamirano Mosso’s homicide.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Lawrence Police Department at 785-832-7509 or CrimeStoppers at 785-843-TIPS (8477). Calls made to CrimeStoppers can be made anonymously and callers with information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

A phone line has been established allowing Spanish-speaking callers to leave information by calling 785-830-7482.