It's one of the most monstrous multiple murders ever reported and the head of the National Crimes Investigation Branch James Magdaleno has been credited with cracking the case. Cayo Police have the man investigators say is responsible for killing an entire family of 6 in Blackman Eddy by burning their house down. This afternoon, 27 year old Alberto Ara was charged for 6 counts of murder and one count of arson. More than that, Ara is being investigated for a likely connection with the murder of the Orroman family in June of this year. The three of them were also burned in their home.
So what is it with this guy?And who is he?And how did he do it? Tonight, Alfonso Noble has collected the version of the events of Monday evening as they have been pieced together by police investigators and here's what they believe happened.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
Police say this man 27-year-old Ontario villager Alberto Ara is responsible for one of the most vicious mass murders Belize has ever seen. On Monday, Ara may have been one of the first visitors to the Mayen family that had just recently moved to the house. On that visit he and 28 year old Elias Mayen began to drink and by all appearances had a good time.
Possibly in the hopes of having a better time, Ara came calling on Mayen again on Tuesday afternoon sometime at around 2. But Mayen was not at home and Ara
stayed and waited for him. When Mayen got home, he argued with his wife Maria Suchite over Ara's presence at the home. That was put to rest and the two men again began to drink.
As night fell they went inside the house - and the children were put to sleep. Around 11:00, an intoxicated Mayen again asked Ara why he stayed in the house when only his wife Maria was at home. That soon turned into a full out confrontation with Mayen picking up a machete and Ara taking a spear gun that was nearby. Ara shot at Mayen but missed and instead hit Maria Suchite. She fell to the ground, seriously injured. Mayen then advanced with the machete and Ara hit him with the spear gun. He fell and lost grip of the machete. Ara then picked up the machete and chopped Mayen to the head.
During all this commotion, candle that was being used inside the home fell. That started the fire causing the home to burn. The children were trapped inside and if and when they did wake up, they couldn't wake up because the front door was blocked by a wall of flame. Ara did make it out. He ran out of the home down to the river and jumped on a log, and crossed to the other side.
That's the story, as police know it.
Again, Ara is being investigated for connection with the murder and burning of the Orroman family in Blackman Eddy. While that investigation is ongoing, he will be arraigned for the multiple murders of the Mayen family members tomorrow in San Ignacio Magistrate's Court.
