There was a murder in Benque Viejo this weekend – where a 51 year old was apparently beaten to death. It is the first murder in the quiet western town in two years – and it's an especially vicious one. But as Monica Bodden found out when she went west today, the victim Pedro Antonio Vasques had a history of violence against him-
Monica Bodden reporting
The body of 51 year old Guatemalan National Pedro Vasquez was found lying on this side of the road with 2 large cut wounds, one on the left and one on the right side of his forehead. Also a deep punctured wound on the left side of his nose.
Still breathing but barely holding on to life, his body was discovered around 4am on Sunday morning on the side of Churchill Street.
He was rushed to the San Ignacio Community Hospital but died shortly after.
Assistant Superintendent, Denzel Thompson - Officer In charge, Benque
"What it appears so far is that yes he was inflicted with some blunt object, however, at this present moment - the body is in Belize City, a post mortem is being carried out and it should be concluded sometime today. That should be able to determine what has caused the death and at that time it could give us areas to continue to follow in the investigation. We have questioned a couple of people who we believed could have assisted us in the investigation but nothing has been coming in so far other than the ones questioned. He was a Guatemalan, 51 year old and he was living in Benque Viejo at the time of his death."
This was not the first time Pedro Vasquez was attacked. His son told us that in June of last year, he was badly beaten to point where he needed a surgery. No one knew why he was beaten or what exactly happened and now over a year later, he was murdered.
Monica Bodden
"When was the last time you saw your dad?"
Voice of: Son of Pedro Vasquez
"It was on Saturday around 5 - he came here and we gave him food and then on Sunday morning a man came here and told us that my father was the man who was being beaten in the morning and when we went to see it was him. He was beaten the first time and he had a big surgery."
Monica Bodden
"Do you know why he was beaten?"
Voice of: Son of Pedro Vasquez
"No the police didn't find anything."
Monica Bodden
"How long ago was this?"
Voice of: Son of Pedro Vasquez
"It was in June of last year."
Monica Bodden
"So you guys have no idea what may have happened to your dad?"
Voice of: Son of Pedro Vasquez
"No, we don't have any idea because we were here and he was there. I don't know I think he was drinking at the Picadilli - the bar."
According to police, this is the first murder in 2 years in Benque Viejo.
Assistant Superintendent, Denzel Thompson
"It is indeed something devastating for the community and so what we are doing is to interviewing different people and we're open to anyone that has information that can assist us with the investigation so that we can come to full closure of this investigation properly"
Police say he was last seen socializing with a 30 year old man; he has been questioned and released. Police have no suspects…
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