Last week we told you he was missing, and tonight, 33 year old Celestino Zetina is confirmed dead. Zetina went missing on Sunday July 10th after witnesses say he was kidnapped at gunpoint on Vernon Street and forced into a van. This morning the worst was confirmed when police were led to his decomposed body. 7NEWS was first on the scene and _Keith Swif_t reports.
Keith Swift Reporting, [keithkswift@gmail.com]
10 days of cross country searching for 33-year-old Celestino Zetina ended this morning in these bushes on the edge of the road reserve right at mile 3 on the Western Highway. You can see a team of forensic personnel and CIB detectives working the scene in the bushes. Police say a tipster led them to Zetina's badly decomposing body, which his brothers Roberto and Oswaldo were called to ID.
Roberto Zetina, Victim's Brother
"Its him. Its him man."
Oswaldo Zetina, Victim's Brother
"Its him from the clothes that he was wearing and just from his body I can know that that is my brother. I know that is him."
It was Celestino's body but due to the state of decomposition, police were yet unable to determine an exact cause of death. But police do say he was probably killed the same night he was kidnapped and these expended shells found on the scene might be a clue as to how he died. Commander of the Criminal Investigations Branch (CIB) is Assistant Superintendent Chester Williams.
ASP Chester Williams, Commander of C.I.B.
"At this time the body is an advanced state of decomposition and the investigation is still underway."
Jacqueline Woods, Channel 5
"Do you know if he was shot?"
ASP Chester Williams,
"At this time that will be too early to reveal so the doctor has not concluded her examination and as soon as that is done then we will be able to say what had caused the death of Mr. Zetina."
Jacqueline Woods,
"We understand some expended shells were found by the body."
ASP Chester Williams,
"The expended shells were found on the street side and we cannot say at this time if the expended shells have anything to do with the body."
Keith Swift,
"Do you believe he was killed the night he disappeared?"
ASP Chester Williams,
"Somehow due to the state the body is in, I believe he was killed at least around that time."
Jacqueline Woods,
"And no motives at this time?"
ASP Chester Williams,
"At this time we don't have a motive, we're still looking at the investigation."
But Celestino's wife and mother of 5 of his children is convinced her husband's murder was an ugly act of revenge - 12 years in the making. Shermaine Zetina says as long as she's been with Celestino, which is for 11 years now, he has been looking over his shoulder after he was charged and got off on the murder of John Hyde over 10 years ago.
Shermaine Zetina, Victim's Wife
"They had, as they call it on the streets, a long time beef with Celestino. They wanted him dead for over 12 years now. He believed his life was in danger, he lived looking over his shoulder, and he always used to me that the day they find him dead or he goes missing its [bleep] that killed him and more than likely nothing will come out of it. That was his word."
Roberto though believes his brother met his death after a fight at a party.
Roberto Zetina,
"They said it was a fight that went on. A fight went on and this is what happened afterwards. We just don't want anyone innocently get charge and go to jail."
Keith Swift,
Why do you say that?
Roberto Zetina,
"They have the guys already."
But police are yet to confirm
either motive or charge anyone for Celestino's murder. They have charged James Hyde for Celestino's kidnapping and CIB Chief Williams says investigations continue.
ASP Chester Williams,
"I don't want to be too hasty to jump to any conclusion but we are investigating the matter and as soon as our investigation is completed, hopefully by tomorrow, we will be able to give you a better answer as to the questions you asked."
Keith Swift,
We know Mr. Zetina had trouble in the past with gangs and stuff like that, could that be related to what happened.
ASP Chester Williams,
"I cannot say at this point."
And until they do know for sure, the one certainty is that after 10 days of searching this is not the outcome this family expected or was prepared for.
Oswaldo Zetina,
"I didn't expect they would find him so badly like this. The way they found him looks very very...I don't know what they did to my little brother but it looks like they did a lot of [expletive] to him."
Roberto Zetina,
"It never did cross my mind you know. I always think of Celeste as a strong man and he is very smart but..."
Even harder for his wife Shermaine who found her husband and father of her children this morning and had to bury him this afternoon.
Shermaine Zetina,
"I just have to take it day by day. I have to take it day by day and I have to be strong for my children because whatever anybody out here that hated him on the streets say, they didn't know the true Celestino. His children were everything to him and there are the ones that will feel. We are the ones that are left in sorrow. Celeste is at peace but his family is left behind to grieve."
As mentioned in the story, yesterday police charged James Hyde for kidnapping Celestino Zetina. As of this evening his charges remained at just kidnapping but CIB Chief Chester Williams promised to wrap up the investigation shortly. Zetina's remains were interred this afternoon after a short ceremony at the Lord Ridge Cemetery.