Garcia Family Wants Justice for the Murder of their Son, Bobby

Bobby Garcia

Back in 2018, the Garcia family of San Ignacio was shocked at the death of one of their own, Bobby Garcia. The young man was killed atop the Cahal Pech Maya site in a bizarre way.  At the time, it was said he was killed in a ritual.  Two of his friends were charged for Garcia’s murder.  The two accused minors have been at the Wagner’s Youth Facility since then and have gone to embrace education as they rehabilitate. News of their achievements has opened up deep wounds for the Garcia’s who are still awaiting justice. Here is News Five’s Duane Moody with a report.

Duane Moody, Reporting

Almost two years ago, the body of eighteen-year-old Bobby Garcia was discovered inside the Plaza E temple at the Cahal Pech Maya. He had been viciously stabbed and an ‘X’ was etched on his face. Many likened the discovery to that of a ritual that was reportedly planned and executed by purported friends of the deceased, who were later charged for his murder. As the anniversary of his death quickly approaches, the family is still in disbelief.

Iris Garcia

Iris Garcia, Mother of Deceased

“I can’t assimilate it as yet because every youth that I see out there reminds me of my son. My son would have been with me now fulfilling his dream. He was a young man filled with dreams and wanted to contribute to a good society by having his own business. And it’s very hard especially for a mother; having your child inside you, seeing him grow, say his first words, his walk. He was a healthy young man, he didn’t get sick and he was very athletic. He was healthy and for somebody to come and take him off from me like that, it is very hard.”

Oscar Garcia, Father of Deceased

“From all the known facts of the case that we know, this crime was motivated by these individuals who wanted to carry out a satanic ritual. It is a senseless crime; a very senseless crime and we know that there are compelling evidence in this case.”

Virgilio Murillo

The anguish resurfaced some two weeks ago, when the accused minors, who remain incarcerated at the Wagner’s Youth Facility of the Belize Central Prison, topped the national programme and completed a high school education through the Kaina Online High School.

Virgilio Murillo, C.E.O., Kolbe Foundation

“These two young men who are under the age of eighteen-years-old, one of them had a 91.4 overall average, percent average, and he came in first and he received merits, three merits.  He received merits, first place in math and biology and second place in English, according to my information here.”

While all inmates are afforded the opportunity to rehabilitate, the Garcia family says that their son’s accused killers are of sound mind.

Iris Garcia

“They were minors when they did that, but when they did that, they didn’t have the mind of minors because a minor is not capable of planning such a heinous crime. A minor would act just to act for that. This shows that they actually planned it and executed it. So that’s not the mind of a minor.”

Oscar Garcia

Oscar Garcia

“I want the public to know that these two inmates are on remand for the murder of my son, Bobby Garcia; they are not in there for any misdemeanour. I want to say that while they are celebrating their successes, what is there for us to celebrate? Two years ago, about this time, my son Bobby had just started his junior college. Right about now, he would be finishing his studies. What are we to celebrate? We are still mourning; we are still trying to cope with his loss.”

On September eighteenth, there was a pre-trial briefing at the Belmopan Supreme Court where the case will be heard. The Garcia family believes that based on the evidence that has been disclosed to them, they may get justice for their son’s murder.

Oscar Garcia

“We have been following this matter from when it was at the magistrate court; we have been following it now that it has moved to the supreme court and we are remaining positive that the justice system will in fact bring justice and that the death of my son will not just be another case where nothing is done and those who did the crime are not held accountable. I believe that it is time that minors, who commit crimes especially murders are held accountable for the crimes that they commit. From the facts that we know, there is a lot of compelling evidence, the investigating officers did their job, the scenes of crime did their job.”

Duane Moody for News Five.