Eighth cabbie dead in eight years in Belmopan; was Elvis Lopez, 69, lured by customer?

Elvis Oswald Lopez

The capital city, Belmopan, according to our archives, has seen no less than eight cab drivers murdered between 2009 and 2017. While each circumstance is different, the coincidence is too pat for residents, who like to think of themselves as a close-knit community. The latest murder victim is close to home, as sixty-nine year old Elvis Oswald Lopez is an unsung name in the city’s history. He was among the first to begin taxi service, first from the Market Square area and later from James Brodie and Company Limited’s parking lot in Belmopan. But a decision to pick up another taxi run on Sunday afternoon instead of going home as planned may have led to his untimely death, as Aaron Humes reports.

Aaron Humes, Reporting

This patch of dirt along the road to the Belmopan Baptist High School marks the spot where taxi cab driver Elvis Oswald Lopez breathed his last on Sunday afternoon. Just hours earlier he was headed home for the day from driving his taxi. According to his family he was already looking forward to his plans for the holidays.

Luke Ramos, Son-in-Law

Luke Ramos

“He came over to where we were at the market to get some food; he does that regularly on Sundays. He got his usual serving of food and he told me that nothing is happening on the stand, and so he’s going home to take a rest, said he would catch up on his sleep since nothing is happening on the stand.”

Rozel Arana-Flores, Daughter

“He called me two days ago; we were talking about where we’re going to be for the holidays, and he told me he was going to Barranco; I told him I’m not going till Easter, and that was basically the conversation two days ago.”

Aaron Humes

“So he was already looking forward to the holiday season?”

Rozel Arana-Flores

Rozel Arana-Flores

“Yes; we were already looking forward; he was going to see his aunt, my mom, in Barranco, and I was going to stay this side getting ready for internship. So we have no idea, we’re clueless.”

Lopez’s family are now looking forward to a funeral, because some time between his departure from the market and the discovery of his body, friends of his from the James Brodie and Company taxi stand on the East Ring Road say he got a call from someone, presumably for a taxi run. Whether that call led him to his end is a matter that police are investigating. But his large extended family says that for sure, they have no idea who would want to harm the sixty-nine year old.

Aaron Humes

“Now as far as you know, in that short period of time – midday to when the body was found to when you went to the scene – you are not aware of any issues with people; maybe somebody called him, whatever the case may be?”

Luke Ramos

“No, no particular issue in that regard. In fact, everybody knows Elvis; he’s a very friendly and joyful person; he’s always smiling and very friendly. He knows most of Belmopan; he’s actually a pioneer of Belmopan – he worked on the survey team at the time they were building Belmopan. So he’s well-known, and we have no reason to believe why anyone would want to kill him.”

Rozel Arana-Flores

“I still feel like I am in dreamland; can’t believe it. But all we want is to take care of his body, lay him to rest, and let God do the rest.”

Elvis Lopez Junior

Elvis Lopez Junior, Son

“I noh really know weh gone on; I get the message at work yesterday. Shocked me, because I know my pa no mess with nobody else.”

Darlene Whitfield, Daughter

Darlene Whitfield

“I noh really get the understanding of everything and how it happened and why it happened, but whatever happened, God sees everything and he will know how to deal with it.”

Police are seeking one person in connection with the murder in ‘Little Orange Walk.’

ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crime Investigation Branch

“His body was observed with multiple stab wounds; the engine of his vehicle was still running at the time police arrived at the scene. In regard to this matter, police are seeking one suspect who they believe can assist in this investigation.”

Aaron Humes reporting for News Five.

Lopez is originally from Barranco and claims the late Andy Palacio as a brother.