Deadly Chopping in Frank’s Eddy, Was it Caused By Jealousy?
David Efrain Coc
There have been eight murders in one week. The most recent is Guatemalan national who was chopped to death inside his house in Frank’s Eddy, Belize District, on Wednesday night. And his seventeen-year-old common-law-wife believes it was triggered by jealousy. Two men showed up at the house of the victim, Efrain Coc after ten o’clock. When he did not open, they forced themselves inside and in the mayhem that ensued, Coc was chopped multiple times. He died on the spot. Coc’s common-law-wife recognized the men from a previous incident in which she was threatened with rape. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
A deadly chopping incident in Frank’s Eddy Village took place on Wednesday night sometime after ten p.m. The fatal attack during which thirty-nine-year-old David Efrain Coc was hacked to death by a pair of men is believed to have been the result of a previous altercation back in October. Police say they were summoned to a residence along the Dark Knight Road approximately two miles off the George Price Highway where they observed the Guatemalan national bleeding profusely from multiple chop wounds to the right side of the head, right arm and back.
Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero, Deputy Head, National Crimes Investigation Branch
“Information reveals that he was at home when a male person came there and called out for him. He came outside and argument was overheard between him and that person, thereafter he was chopped and succumbed to his injuries.”
According to a police report, thirty-three-year-old Guillermo Sarabia Caal and another individual identified only as Polanco, visited Coc’s home armed with machetes and proceeded to break down his door. When Coc came out to see what the commotion was about, he was met by the pair who got into a fight with him.
Hilberto Romero
Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero
“We are not sure what the argument was about.”
Reporter
“Sir, this person, has there been any reports to police that maybe these two people have had prior disputes or issues?”
Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero
“No, we had no reports. We are seeking one person in connection to this murder.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Do they know each other, sir?”
Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero
“The information is yes, they had known each other.”
Earlier today in Belmopan, Evelyn Garcia, the common-law wife of David Coc, spoke briefly with the media, explaining what transpired at their home on Wednesday night and what precipitated the deadly attack on her husband.
Evelyn Garcia, Common-law Wife of Deceased [Translated]
“I don’t know why they did that. My husband told me to leave them alone because I have my daughter. That is what he said.”
Reporter
“This occurred last night at 10:30?”
Evelyn Garcia
Evelyn Garcia
“I told my husband not to go outside but they started to ask him to come out and talk to them. He told them that he was not going to go outside. They then started to break down the house and began to chop him. They chopped him on his head, his back and arm. He died instantly. The men then escaped and I don’t know where they are now. One of the men told my husband to let him in so that he could be with me. This happened on the 25th of September. After that I don’t know what happened.”
The motive, we understand, may have been jealousy, as the incident that preceded the fatal chopping is said to have involved Sarabia’s seventeen-year-old common-law wife.
Evelyn Garcia [Translated]
“They tried to rape her but my husband defended her and me as well. I don’t know what happened. They were on drugs and very drunk. I don’t know what kind of marijuana or cocaine they must have used.”
Reporter
“Tell us about your husband.”
Evelyn Garcia [Translated]
“Well he didn’t interfere with anyone else. He would go to work then back home. He was like that. He was thirty-nine years old. He had a ten-year-old daughter.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
