A New Jersey man has been arrested after confessing to killing his girlfriend and dumping her body at a private country club golf course, according to authorities. Officials from the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office announced that Andres Calvachi-Paz admitted to strangling his 28-year-old girlfriend, Dayana Chisaguano Maleza, following an argument in their Newark apartment.
The dispute reportedly began when Maleza tried to end their relationship. Calvachi-Paz, 28, now faces charges of first-degree murder, second-degree disturbing human remains, and third-degree theft, NJ Advance Media reported.
Maleza’s body was discovered on the morning of October 7 at the Cedar Hill Golf Course on Walnut Street in Livingston. A groundskeeper made the gruesome discovery while chasing deer away from the area. He followed a foul odor to a wooded section near the edge of the course, where he found the remains around 8:45 a.m.
According to prosecutors, after killing Maleza, Calvachi-Paz placed her body in his car and drove around for several hours before deciding to abandon her remains at the “premier members-only golf and country club.”
Investigators said that Calvachi-Paz attempted to conceal his crime by sending text messages from Maleza’s phone after her death to make it appear that she was still alive. Authorities have not released further details about the timeline of the murder, but investigators believe Maleza was killed several days before her body was found, the New York Daily News reported.
The Essex County Prosecutor’s Office described the case as both “tragic and disturbing,” highlighting how Calvachi-Paz’s actions were calculated to mislead police and delay discovery of the crime. Detectives say the suspect provided a full confession during questioning.
Residents of Livingston expressed shock that the crime scene was located at the normally tranquil Cedar Hill Golf Course, an exclusive club known for its privacy and scenic grounds. Law enforcement agencies, including the Livingston Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide Task Force, continue to investigate the incident.
Officials have not yet confirmed whether Calvachi-Paz has retained legal counsel. If convicted on all charges, Calvachi-Paz could face life in prison. Prosecutors have not said whether they plan to pursue additional charges related to the attempted cover-up. The case has drawn attention across New Jersey as one of the most disturbing domestic violence incidents of the year, underscoring ongoing concerns about intimate partner violence and its devastating consequences.