Predawn Murder Near La Cabana on Good Friday

Noe Cruz

In the capital, a man known to the law was found dead. The family claims Noe Cruz was found in a seated position, but the police point out that Cruz’s body was lying near a vehicle. What is certain is that he was partying at a favorite night spot in Belmopan. He would leave and by three o’clock on Good Friday morning, his body was spotted. Cruz was intoxicated, according to the police, but what led to his murder is not known. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

Noel Cruz, a resident of Belmopan, was mortally wounded during the predawn hours of March twenty-fifth, a short d       istance from where he had been socializing moments before.  It is reported that Cruz, no stranger to the law, had been partying at La Cabana on Holy Thursday and allegedly became involved in an altercation with an unidentified individual a stone’s throw away from the popular nightclub.  Officer Commanding Belmopan Police Formation, Superintendent Howell Gillett:

Howell Gillett

Supt. Howell Gillett, O.C., Belmopan Police

“Sometime after three a.m. on Good Friday morning, we received information that a person might have been lying [down] near one of the nightclubs here in Belmopan on Sultana Street, in the Las Flores area to be specific.  Our officers proceeded as is customary, we proceeded there right away and we observed [that] yes indeed, a male person who we later found out to be Noe Cruz, his body; well at that point we were not sure that he was dead but he appeared to be dead.  You know, we have to get confirmation first.  We observed injuries to his face and to the back of his head.”

According to David Cruz, the last contact he had with his sibling was a few weeks ago while visiting Belmopan on a business trip.

David Cruz

David Cruz, Brother of Deceased

“We got word of what happened on Friday morning, approximately about twenty minutes to five [o’clock] in the morning that Noel had passed away in Belmopan.”

Duane Moody

“What do you understand happened?”

David Cruz

“Well, he was at the famous Cabana’s nightclub in Belmopan and he was partying and they told us that they found him there in a sitting position, that was it.  And when the news came to us he was already dead.

It is strongly believed that the incident may have been caught on surveillance camera and investigators are now in the process of reviewing the footage.

Howell Gillett

“What we know so far is that he was socializing in that same nightclub that I alluded to just a while ago and he left on his own accord, as I understand it, but he was, it appeared that he was highly intoxicated when he left the club.  He might have gone on to the streets and was engaged, reportedly engaged in a fight and we believe it was then that he sustained those injuries that I spoke of.  We’re looking for one individual whom we believe could assist us in this investigation.  We’re also in the process of reviewing the camera for the nightclub that we mentioned.  As a matter of fact our officers are out dealing with it now, so that would give us a better idea of what might have transpired.  We believe that it was in close proximity to the nightclub that the injuries were sustained and we believe that that could give us a good lead in the investigation.”

While police are actively looking for a man they believe could help with their investigation, Cruz’s brother tells News Five that the family was unaware of any situation between him and anyone else.

David Cruz

“We weren’t aware of anyone who wanted to take his life.”

Duane Moody

“He use to work with the Hummingbird Rehabilitation Project.  He was operating a roller.”

Howell Gillett

“We’ve done canvassing of the area and we’ve spoken to a number of people, hence the reason why we are able to tell you that it’s one individual we are looking for.  I know you might ask me the past criminal history of this guy but I won’t tell you that…”

Isani Cayetano

“Of Noe Cruz or the individual you are looking for?”

Howell Gillett

“Noe Cruz.  The most I will say about it is that he had a troubled past.  Why?  Because we cannot connect his past to the crime that occurred so I won’t get into the full details of what he might have done or allegedly done in the past but, of course, based on our record he had a troubled past.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.