The nude body of a Belize City man was found on the seafront near the House of Culture on Sunday.
He has been identified as 47-year-old Orlando Velasquez, a resident of Rivero Street who is also known as "Early Bob". Shortly after noon police were called to the area and found some traces of blood, but no injuries which would suggest that he was the victim of some violent attack.
At today's police press briefing in Belmopan, the deputy head of the National Criminal Investigations Branch briefly discussed the case, and what the cops know so far:
Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero - Deputy Head, NCIB
"On Sunday, the 20th Day of September 2020, police visited an area near the House of Culture in Belize City, where they saw the motionless body of a male person lying face-up. The person was taken to the KHMH, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The person was identified thereafter as Orlando Velasquez, 47 years-old, of Belize City. No signs of violence were observed on the body, and a post-mortem examination is scheduled for today to determine the cause of death."
Reporter
"Sir, do we know what he was doing out in that area?"
Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero
"No, we do not know what he was doing there."
Reporter
"When was the last time that he was seen?"
Sr. Supt. Hilberto Romero
"He was last seen by his family members earlier that morning, and then, he was found by the House of Culture."
Velasquez's family told us that the location he was found is a favorite hang-out spot of his. They say that he goes there regularly for a swim.
According to his family members, he struggled with hypertension, and he was reluctant to take medication.
They are now waiting for the results of the pending post-mortem, and one of his family members told us that she hopes it will determine that he died of natural causes. For the family, the puzzling elements of his body's discovery are the fact that he was found nude, and that there was blood coming out of his ear.
