Honduran national beheaded in Cowpen

There is another case of murder to report tonight. This latest incident involves the gruesome beheading of a man in the Stann Creek District last week Friday. Police in Independence are reporting that forty-two year old Honduran National Israel Escobar Montoya was killed inside his home in Cowpen Village. Officers have been investigating this horrific murder and Inspector Alton Alvarez, Officer Commanding Independence Police Formation, says they are questioning one person.

Insp. Alton Alvarez, O.C. Independence Police Formation
“At four p.m. on the tenth of January 2009, the Independence Police visited the village of Cowpen in the Stann Creek District where the motionless body of one Israel Escobar Montoya, forty-two years Honduran laborer of Cowpen was seen lying on the floor in his wooden structure house. Police observed that the body had multiple chop wounds to the head and body. Information suggests that about eleven p.m. on the ninth of January, 2009 a noise was heard from inside of the house where the deceased resides. He resided alone at that residence. The body was transported to the Dangriga Southern Regional Hospital where it was pronounced dead on arrival. We’re looking for one person and we have another detained for questioning with regards to the murder.”

Jose Sanchez
“Do you know how long this Honduran national has been living in Belize?”

Insp. Alton Alvarez
“At this time we cannot ascertain as to how long that individual resided in Belize.”

Jose Sanchez
“And is it true that his head was chopped off?”

Insp. Alton Alvarez
“That is what the information suggest; that the head was severed.”

In addition to the man that has been detained for questioning, Independence Police are looking for another who may be able to help them with their investigations.