Derry Bennett is Charged for Murder of Elderly Sand Hill Woman

Police have cracked the murder of an elderly woman.  Eighteen-year-old Derry Bennett, a resident of Camalote Village, has been remanded for the murder of sixty-nine-year-old Ofelia Cruz, who was bludgeoned inside her home in the Salt Creek area of Sand Hill Village two weeks ago.  The Mexican national was reportedly struck over the head with a hammer during a home invasion in which two men were said to have been looking for her husband’s firearm. Today, Bennett appeared unrepresented before Chief Magistrate Sharon Frazer. 

ACP Joseph Myvett, Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch

“Reference to the death of Ofelia Cruz which occurred on August sixteenth, police have since arrested and charged Derry Bennett, nineteen-year-old of a Teakettle address for the crime of murder.”

Reporter

“Okay, now explain to me sir, does he live in that area?  What’s his connection with the scene of the crime?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

ACP Joseph Myvett

“He has relatives living in the area and was seen in that specific area prior to the incident.”

Reporter

“Was it a robbery?  Was there a robbery or theft element?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“That seems to be the case that there may have been, we’re trying to confirm whether or not the motive was robbery.”

Reporter

“Was there a reason, a known reason for him to have attacked this elderly woman so viciously?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“Not at this point.”

Reporter

“Sir, the last time we spoke, you had indicated that you were looking for two suspects into this.  Is the investigation still ongoing?”

ACP Joseph Myvett

“Yes, it is still ongoing but so far one person has been charged.”

Derry Bennett has been remanded to the Belize Central Prison until October twenty-fifth.