Two weeks after she was reported missing - a 12 year old girl has been found murdered. Saidi Velez, a primary school student and resident of frank’s eddy village was found murdered in Cotton Tree last night. Police don’t know how she died or who did it but today Keith Swift went west searching for answers.
Keith Swift Reporting,
The decomposed and partially nude body of 12 year old Saidi Noemi Godoy Veliz was found in these bushes in this feeder road off mile 43 on the Western Highway last night.
Insp. David Chi, Belmopan Police
“Belmopan Police visited an open area in Cotton Tree Village between miles 43 and 44 about 125 yards on a feeder road where they saw the body of
a Hispanic descent female person decomposed.”
Keith Swift,
What condition was the body in?
[Sylvia Reyes, Aunt of Deceased Sobbing]
Saidi Velez was reported missing on March 13th. Based on the state of decomposition of her body, the police pathologist believes she was killed within a day or two of her disappearance. But what’s most perplexing is that we will never know what caused the death of this little girl who was killed two weeks after she turned 12.
Insp. David Chi,
“A post mortem was conducted on the body by Dr. Estradabran and his conclusion, he certified that the cause of death is unknown due to the advanced state of decomposition. Police are presently continuing their investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Saidi Velez.”
Keith Swift,
What was the condition of the body, was it partially nude or what?
Insp. David Chi,
“The body was clothed with a vest and underwear.”
Sgt. Solomon Westby, CIB Belmopan
“There was no sign according to the doctor that any weapon or any object had been used in the case of this situation. That is the reason why he wrote the death as undetermined situation.”
Marion Ali, News 5
“So it could have been strangulation?”
Sgt. Solomon Westby,
“Probably. What the doctor did rule is that there were possible scars and that’s why certain parts of the body had started to decompose first, specifically.”
Keith Swift,
Are you able to say when she was killed?
Sgt. Solomon Westby,
“The doctor ruled that probably she had been killed between 12 to 13 days.”
Keith Swift,
So she was killed right after she went missing.
Sgt. Solomon Westby,
“Well actually he ruled that she died twelve to thirteen days.”
Police initially detained a suspect – a special constable - following the girl’s disappearance – but he was questioned and released.
Keith Swift,
When you got this missing person’s report on March 13th, did you do everything in your power to investigate it?
Insp. David Chi,
“I can safely say that we did what we were supposed to do and I can
say that Cpl. Martinez was in that area numerous nights and days carrying out the investigation into that report. I personally sent him along with family members in respect to information they brought and they wanted the police to go along with them. That is their opinion and they are entitled to their opinion.”
Sylvia Reyes,
“I believe he did it because it is not the first time and then he did it one time with one girl from Frank’s Eddy who he paid $200 to the father to not take it to the police station and then one day he went with a girl to 44 miles and he shot and police didn’t do anything either.”
Keith Swift,
Why would he kill Saidi?
Sylvia Reyes,
“I don’t know.”
Keith Swift,
So you are saying the last time she was seen alive was with this policeman?
Sylvia Reyes,
“Yes, when he put her in the car.”
Keith Swift,
We know that he is a special constable, we know that his name is Luis Guerra. Why was he suspected?
Insp. David Chi,
“Based on our preliminary investigations, certain information was gathered and so the police carried out an investigation where he later he was subsequently released because of the information we gathered, the evidence we gathered.”
Keith Swift,
Is he still a suspect at this point?
Insp. David Chi,
“Of course he is a person of interest up to this point, our investigation is ongoing and as soon as we gather more information in regards to the investigation, substantive information, the police will then make an arrest.”
Marion Ali,
“Was he last seen in the company of this child, he was the last person seen with her?”
Insp. David Chi,
“I cannot say. I cannot say. We carried out an investigation and he was detained and as a person of concern and then he is still a person of concern but there is not any substantive evidence at this point to indicate that Mr. Guerra had done anything wrong to that child.
It is a hideous crime, it is something that is a real concern for I guess everything citizen of this country and if you could remember sometime back we had five young females that were murdered in Belize City. I had worked on that investigation so we have to be, I have to advise parents, guardians, and anyone to be aware of young children, not only female – male and female who they see on the street, to just be on the lookout to safeguard these kids in the streets.”
Saidi Velez was a Guatemalan national. Again Luis Guerra was questioned and released but remains a person of interest. Police have a second suspect who they know only by name and are not revealing. Saida Velez turned 12 on March 11.
