Flowers and a sign saying the victim’s restaurant, Casa de Quesadilla, was closed and for sale were seen attached to the Sandy Springs restaurant’s door on Sunday. (Photo by Cathy Cobbs)
Blanca Sauer, the Sandy Springs woman who was found murdered on Christmas Eve, owned a restaurant called Casa de Quesadilla, located a mile from the ditch where her body was dumped.
Flowers were attached to the door of Casa de Quesadilla at 8757 Dunwoody Place, Sandy Springs. A handwritten sign said the restaurant was closed and for sale.
“Our beautiful Blanca was taken from us on Christmas Eve,” the sign said.
A GoFundMe page to raise funds for funeral services for Sauer, 47, reached $6,465 toward the $10,000 goal on Sunday, two days after it was set up.
“She was an entrepreneur, friend, aunt, mother, grandmother, and admirable daughter. She strived to achieve her goals and never gave up on her dreams,” Erika Padierna said on the GoFundMe page she organized. “She owned a restaurant that she never gave up on and built from the ground up.”
The Roswell Police Department is searching for her boyfriend, Roberto Dominguez Soto, in connection to Sauer’s death.
Her body was found on Azalea Drive near Atlanta Street on Christmas Eve afternoon, across the Chattahoochee River and approximately one mile from the restaurant.
Sauer was found by Roswell Police officers responding to a report of a possible deceased person around 3:15 p.m. on Dec. 24, according to a news release. An investigation revealed she had been shot at least once before her body was dumped.
The area where Sauer’s body was found is near a popular walking trail along Azalea Drive.
“This is a heartbreaking situation, especially during the holiday season, and our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of Ms. Sauer,” said Roswell Police Chief James Conroy, according to the release. “We are committed to bringing justice to those affected by this senseless act of targeted violence.”
Police have not reported any news regarding Soto’s status as of Sunday afternoon.
Roswell detectives described Soto as a 49-year-old Hispanic male with black hair and brown eyes, 5-feet, 11-inches tall and weighing 170 pounds.
The release said detectives are working with state, federal and international authorities to apprehend Soto. He also is wanted by Interpol, the International Criminal Police Organization, on firearms charges. He should be considered armed and dangerous, the release said.
Anyone who has knowledge of the suspect’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Roswell Police Department at 770-640-4100. Anonymous information can be provided through Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.StopCrimeATL.org.
Cathy Cobbs contributed to this report.
