RICHMOND, Calif. (AP) — The California Highway Patrol says a murder suspect who led police on a high-speed chase last week strangled his girlfriend during the pursuit.

Cindy Tran was alive when the pursuit of Efren Valdemoro began. Tran called a friend, who heard yelling and sirens before the phone went dead.

CHP Sgt. Trent Cross said Tuesday an officer reported that Tran's body was cold at the end of the pursuit about an hour later. That information and the results of an autopsy led investigators to believe she was killed by Valdemoro during the initial stages of the chase.

Valdemoro was later shot and killed by officers inside a strip mall.

Authorities say he is a suspect in the murder of a Hercules man and is linked to two other victims.