Domestic quarrel ends in man?s death

If you’ve ever been involved in a domestic relationship you know that two lives merged into one household does not always result in bliss. But while most marital disputes eventually end with a make-up kiss, this morning an argument in Belize City was cut short by a deadly weapon. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods was at the scene.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Forty-three-year-old Sebastian Ortiz lived with his girlfriend fifty-three-year-old Joan Bennett inside this one room zinc dwelling at #165 Police Street. Family and friends say the couple had a stormy relationship and often quarrelled. It is not clear what caused today?s dispute but around one this afternoon things erupted and by the time it was over, Ortiz lay dead on the concrete steps outside his sister?s house. Carolyn Noralez, who lives just behind the couple?s residence, says she first heard a loud knock on her door and then her brother?s voice.

Carolyn Noralez, Sister of the Deceased
?I heard the banging on the door and then the hollering ?open the door and call the police?. So then I got my phone off the table and then I dialled 911 and then I got the key and opened the door and when I opened the door, my brother was like that, he mih done dead already and then the BERT Ambulance reached.?

Ortiz was stabbed in his upper right thigh and appears to have bled to death after one of his main arteries was severed.

Family Member of Deceased
?I wish somebody saw what had happened so that they can report it to the media and even go to the court because justice has to be served. We dont know what happen all of us were at our different work places. I really want to know what happen.?

The Ortiz family remains in shock and disbelief.

Carolyn Noralez
?I have no idea even why the argument even start but they were arguing and that is how it ended with my brother dead.?

?Well this morning she was red hot because of the quarrel. I dont know what caused the quarrel or what they were quarrelling about all I know is that they were quarrelling and then afterwards he gone banging on my door and telling me open the door and call the police.?

A blood trail that led from the couple?s house suggests Ortiz was stabbed inside the residence and then he ran next door to his sister?s house. When police arrived on the scene they immediately searched the area for the murder weapon but to no avail. Noralez says although she knew her brother and girlfriend had problems there was no excuse for Bennett to take his life.

Carolyn Noralez
?She never had to do this. Whatsoever was their problem she should have gone and left my brother alone. She never had to take his life.?

Police have since detained the woman known only as Joan, a sanitation worker. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.