FORT PIERCE, FL – Nearly seven years after the body of a pregnant woman was discovered alongside a rural road, a Fort Pierce man is preparing to stand trial for her murder and the death of her unborn child. Prosecutors have signaled their intent to pursue the death penalty in a case that has cast a spotlight on the intersection of infidelity, secrecy, and violence.
Jose Soto-Escalera, 48, faces two counts each of first-degree and second-degree murder, accused of killing 23-year-old Tania Wise and her unborn son in August 2018. Wise, who was nearing the end of her pregnancy, was found dead on the morning of August 24, 2018. Investigators say the circumstances suggest a calculated crime tied to her relationship with Soto-Escalera.
According to authorities, Wise notified Soto-Escalera several months earlier that she was pregnant with his child. She allegedly requested money to have an abortion, warning that she would tell his wife about their relationship if he refused. Investigators later learned that a witness overheard a phone conversation in which Wise made the demand, and that Wise expressed confidence she could use the affair to her advantage.
Despite the $500 Soto-Escalera reportedly provided for an abortion, police say Wise did not follow through with the procedure and instead passed the money to another individual. This development became a source of anger for Soto-Escalera, according to witness statements obtained by detectives.
Three days before Wise’s body was found, a witness recounted a conversation in which Soto-Escalera appeared agitated, purportedly feeling deceived by Wise. That same witness told law enforcement that Soto-Escalera inquired about acquiring a firearm, referring to it as a “dirty gun,” which investigators believe may have been intended for use in a crime.
When questioned by law enforcement after the discovery of Wise’s body, Soto-Escalera denied ever having sex with her, though he admitted that Wise stripped for him on one occasion. He consented to provide a DNA sample and permitted investigators to search his cellphone. Test results later confirmed that Soto-Escalera was indeed the father of Wise’s unborn child, whom her family had planned to name Josiah.
Analysis of phone records indicated a flurry of calls between Wise and Soto-Escalera on August 23, just hours before her death. Additionally, cellphone location data placed Soto-Escalera at the site where Wise’s body was ultimately found.
Further scrutiny of Soto-Escalera’s digital activity pointed to disturbing internet searches conducted in the hours preceding Wise’s death. Detectives reported that his online history included queries such as “dead body in woods” and “wooded area dead body,” as well as visits to multiple related links.
All these details form a complex portrait of a relationship that turned fatal, according to the prosecution, which contends that Soto-Escalera acted to conceal his extramarital affair and impending child. The trial, which began jury selection on Wednesday, is expected to focus heavily on witness testimony, digital forensic evidence, and the alleged motive behind the slaying.
Soto-Escalera remains in custody as the trial begins. Wise’s family continues to seek justice for both Tania and her unborn son, hoping for closure after years of uncertainty.