Charred remains of the KTV Latino King, Daniel Aguirre, found in his taxi

Two men lost their lives over the weekend. The first is a police officer who died at the hands of another in the city…we will come to that shortly. The other is the King of KTV Latino, Daniel Aguirre. Aguirre sang himself to fame in 2011 in our hit show KTV Latino, but he earned a living as a taxi driver in Belmopan. Aguirre met a horrific death last Saturday night after he left La Cabana restaurant and bar where he performed gigs in the Las Flores area of the capital. His charred remains were found in his car that was set on fire miles away in an isolated area off the George Price Highway. Duane Moody was in Belmopan and spoke to family, friends and the police.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Early Saturday morning, Belmopan police were called out an area some four miles off the George Price Highway in the village of Teakettle. There, on a secluded stretch of road in an area known as Arizona, they found a Belmopan taxi engulfed in flames. But the scene turned murder when inside the back of the vehicle was the charred remains believed to be that of Daniel Aguirre, the KTV Latino King.

Sinquest Martinez

ASP Sinquest Martinez, O.C. Belmopan Police

“We responded to a call on Saturday morning in the Puctzil Area behind Arizona village where we found a car burnt with human remains inside the car.  Based on the licensed plate and the VIN number of the vehicle; that’s why we are saying it is his vehicle.”

Reporter

“Have the family reported that Mister Aguirre is still missing?”

ASP Sinquest Martinez

“An official report hasn’t been made as yet, but they haven’t heard or seen from him. We haven’t clarified any positive motive as yet. It is still open.”

Daniel Aguirre

Reporter

“From what we understand, the deceased had a licensed firearm. What of that firearm because I am understanding that it has not been found?”

ASP Sinquest Martinez

“You are right. We haven’t found his licensed nine millimeter as yet.”

The body was burnt beyond recognition and it is unknown whether the victim was killed before his body was set on fire or if he was burnt alive. According to the family, they were informed about the incident sometime after six Saturday morning.

Anna Victoria Aguirre

Anna Victoria Aguirre, Daughter of Murder Victim

“I understood that he was hanging out at Cabana and he was asked to do a trip and he went and did the trip and unfortunately he did not come back. He went out and he took the guy and certainly I understand that they murdered him in a cruel way. Certainly, I heard that it is a robbery that was going on. But let me tell you something; this is really not fair. If you really wanna rob somebody, you have to leave them alive, but don’t leave him the way he was left…burnt all the way down.”

Surveillance video showed Aguirre leaving La Cabana with two fares—a couple heading to Belmopan and another person who chartered him for a trip coincidentally to Teakettle. Belmopan police were quick on the investigation and have made detentions in connection with the murder.

ASP Sinquest Martinez

“The investigation is pretty young; there is certainly information that we are working on at this present moment. We have three persons detained. We have viewed camera where he was last seen and we have picked up four persons in respect to who he transported prior to his death.”

Several taxi operators with whom Aguirre worked are also mourning his death. According to the president of the association that operates from the University of Belize Compound, Jorge Romero, this is the second taxi operator to be killed in the area and they are now in fear that cab drivers are the new targets for criminals.

Jorge Romero, Taxi Operator

Jorge Romero

“When I get there, the vehicle was under smoke, not fire—heavy smoke—and the police was there already. I feel bad about it. It’s my colleague, we grew up together; we worked along for ten years here at the University of Belize Campus as taxi driver.  Daniel, he mi have wah weapon. He had a nine millimeter weapon, licensed. We noh have any. And if that could happen to him having a weapon, what could happen to us? This is very dangerous.”

Anna Victoria Aguirre

“It’s not the first taxi driver; it is the third taxi driver that is well known that has been killed. The first one was burnt all the way so, the second one they murdered him the same way and my father now; it is really not fair. We need to do something and we need to stop this.”

The body was transported to the Belize City morgue where a post mortem examination will be conducted on the body. He will be laid to rest on Tuesday. Duane Moody for News Five.

Late this evening, News Five was informed that in fact Aguirre’s remains were buried in Belmopan.