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An arrest has been made in the gruesome crime dubbed the Denver dragging death. A man police have said is an illegal immigrant has been arrested in connection with the dragging death of the woman in Denver.

Denver Dragging Death: Illegal Immigrant Arrested

Investigators said the woman was dragged behind a vehicle with a rope, leaving a trail of blood more than a mile long.

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An autopsy of the woman was released Tuesday showing that she was still alive as she was being dragged behind a vehicle for more than a mile. The victim was identified but her name has not yet been released, reports Denver's KVOA.

Neighbors discovered the woman's body before dawn. Her face was unrecognizable and an orange tow rope was around her neck, Nancy Foley, who lives nearby told reporters.

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Jose Luis Rubi-Nava, 36, of Glendale, was arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder, according to the Rocky Mountain News.

Police got a break in the case when a photo was found near the body of the woman. They released the picture (above right) which showed the man they now identify as Jose Luis Rubi-Nava. The woman in the photo has yet to be identified and it is not known if she is the victim.

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AP reports that authorities did not immediately respond to questions about how the photograph ended up near the woman's body, which was discovered Monday in a suburban neighborhood about 20 miles south of Denver.

The photo was released to the public, and Sheriff Dave Weaver said tips from citizens helped lead to the arrest, but he did not elaborate.

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The photo has been helpful for Sheriff's deputies as they have interviewed several people that may have information about the crime.

--Cyndi James writes from Denver

Additional sources: KVOA, AP