Murder in Chan Chen; ex-convict killed one week after release from prison

Darwin Salazar

The fifth murder for 2013, in the Corozal District, was recorded this morning in the village of Chan Chen. The lifeless remains of twenty-eight year old Darwin Salazar was found with multiple cut wounds to the upper part of the body. The resident of Corozal Town was stabbed multiple times to the neck before his body was left for dead in some bushes. But, Salazar was no stranger to police. Our records show that back in February 2007, Salazar, then twenty-two, was charged for the April 2006 murder of Adonai Espat at the Santa Rita Ruins in the Corozal District.  And, according to Officer Commanding Corozal Police, Superintendent Andrew Ramirez, Salazar was recently released from prison on December tenth, for a wounding conviction. But sometime between Thursday morning, when he left from his house in Corozal Town and seven a.m. today, Salazar was killed and his body dumped near the Chan Chen Road. Superintendent Ramirez says that there are currently no leads in this latest homicide and would like the public’s assistance in the case.

Via Phone: Superintendent Andrew Ramirez, O.C. Corozal Police

“At about seven-fifteen a.m. today’s date, December twentieth, upon information received, Corozal Police visited the Chan Chen Road. About five feet into the bushes, the body of a male person was seen. He was identified to be Darwin Ricardo Salazar, twenty-eight years of Corozal Town. He had multiple stab wounds to the back of the neck area and a chopping wound to left side of the neck, towards the front. We have no leads at this point in time. He was dressed in a blue shirt, a blue short pants and of course ih boxers”

Reporter

“Sir, what so far have you guys understood happened; that is from your initial investigations?”

Andrew Ramirez

Via Phone: Supt. Andrew Ramirez

“We have no leads at this point in time. We do not know what caused the injuries, we do not know who did it. So we are just asking for the public’s assistance to try and find the perpetrator or perpetrators of this heinous crime here in Corozal District.”

Reporter

“Sir have you guys been able to speak with any family member or relative of Mister Salazar to know where he was before his untimely death?”

Via Phone: Supt. Andrew Ramirez

“Yes, we have spoken to some family members, but little information has been received from them. We have also communicated with a couple of friends that he had, again likewise little information that we have received from these individuals. Darwin Salazar was recently released from prison as well, last week Tuesday, after being convicted for the crime of wounding.”

Reporter

“He was on remand?”

Via Phone: Supt. Andrew Ramirez

“No. He had spent time and he was sentenced to spend some time for the charge of wounding.”

Reporter

“Is the police look at the lead that it is possible that his victim could have taken his life this time around?”

Via Phone: Supt. Andrew Ramirez

“Well Duane, like any investigation, we don’t leave any stone unturned. So even that angle that you are indicating or insinuating we have to look at. So we will not look at anything and leave anything unturned. Everything must come as a clue or a puzzle to find out what transpired within yesterday when he had left home and this morning when he was found motionless.”

Anyone with information on this latest homicide is asked to contact the nearest police station or crime stoppers Belize at 0-800-922-TIPS.