BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – A man accused of murdering his wife in 2011 is scheduled to appear in court on Monday for the start of his trial.

Oscar Lozada, 47, will stand trial for allegedly killing and dismembering his wife, Sylviane Finck Lozada. Authorities believe that shortly after taking his wife’s life, Lozada went overseas with his four-year-old daughter, bringing her to his home country of Venezuela.

He was arrested in 2018 after authorities located him in Mexico.

Lozada’s late wife, Sylviane was a 51-year-old native of Belgium and a teacher at Brusly High School. Though her body has yet to be recovered, authorities say traces of her blood were discovered on the ceiling and walls of the Lozada’s garage.

According to officials, Lozada admitted to killing and dismembering Sylviane, but later attempted to have his confession thrown out.

The state Supreme Court denied his request, ruling that the confession was permissible for use during trial.

Lozada’s trial was originally set for July of 2020 and then delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Sunday, District Attorney Hillar Moore stated, “We are prepared to finally try this case and to prove our case beyond a reasonable doubt as to all charges.” 

Lozada’s charges include second-degree murder and obstruction of justice. If convicted as charged, he faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

Court documents indicate jury selection will begin at 9 a.m., under the direction of Judge Tiffany Foxworth Roberts.