Chainsaw Was Cause of Death in Lewisville Slaying: ME

Lewisville police continue to search for the husband of a woman whose mutilated body was found in the middle of a residential street.

Police found two chainsaws nearby, one of them still running.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's office reported the cause of death was "multiple blunt/sharp force chainsaw injuries due to assault by another person."

The body of Maria Santos Corona, 44, was found in the street along the 1000 block of Shadow Wood Lane on Monday afternoon.

Lewisville police issued an arrest warrant for her husband, Jose Fernando Corona, 49, that charges him with the murder.

Police said they now believe Corona is driving a gold, two-door 1991 Ford Ranger pickup truck with Texas license plate AA24004. Following the woman's death, investigators said Corona went to a car dealership and requested a test drive.  He never returned with the vehicle.

Corona's 2005 Toyota Sequoia was found abandoned in a parking lot in Bedford on Wednesday. Detectives plan to search the vehicle for evidence.

Police said the Corona's six children are in a safe location while the investigation continues.

Lewisville police Capt. Kevin Deaver told The Dallas Morning News in Wednesday editions that the couple had been having marital problems.

Jose Corona has no prior criminal history, Deaver said. Police have asked state and federal authorities for help locating him. Police said Jose Corona has friends and family across the state and in Mexico.

Anyone with information about Corona is urged to call Lewisville Police at 972-219-3540 or Denton County Crime Stoppers at 800-388-TIPS (8477). Tipsters can remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward.

NBC DFW's Omar Villafranca and Jane Geelan-Sayres contributed to this report.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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