7 News Belize

Two Arrested For Killing Kinck for Money, One Is A Minor
posted (January 8, 2016)
3 days ago, we told you about very violent murder of Canadian Filmmaker Matthiew Klinck in a village just outside of Spanish Lookout, Cayo. Well, after 3 days of investigating, Police have arrested and charged 2 young men from San Ignacio for his murder. They are 19 year-old Brandon Anderson, and a 16 year-old minor, whose identity we cannot reveal.

They have since been arraigned in Magistrate's Court, and as soon as police are able to make arrangements, they will be escorted to the Belize Central Prison.

But, as viewers will recall, when Klinck's body was found, the police were concerned that it would be a very difficult investigation since Klinck lived on a very secluded property in Selena Village. So, what changed for investigators to progress to an arrest so swiftly? That's what our news team travelled San Ignacio Town to find out. We spoke with the lead investigator about the case today:

ASP Reymundo Reyes, Deputy OC - San Ignacio Police
"The police immediately activated and we visited the scene where we found the Caucasian male person with stab wounds the neck area. His name was learn to be Matthiew Klinck. the Tuesday which was the 5th, post mortal examination was conducted at the scene because of the state of the decomposition and there after the investigation opened up where we detained 2 persons of concern based on information received and as a result of the evidence that we have gathered, statements, today 2 persons were arrested and charged for that murder. Which is one, Brandon Anderson which is 19 yrs. old and is a Belizean laborer of Loma Luz Boulevard Santa Elena Town and a minor was charged for murder jointly and for conspiracy to commit murder. We're not going in detail as to what police have. I have statements recorded from both persons what we know as confession statements, but apart from that we have other evidential things that we are trying to still link, which I would not want to divulge to the media. It might tarnish my investigation at the end of the day. Yes, we have sufficient evidence and that is why both person were charged for the same crime. They were arraigned about an hour or so ago in front of the Magistrate here in San Ignacio."

Daniel Ortiz
"Have you all found out why the Canadian was murder?"

ASP Reymundo Reyes, Deputy OC - San Ignacio Police
"We believe it is a robbery. Money was involved. We have in custody money, which we believe was taken during the ordeal and that has been label as exhibit for the case."

Daniel Ortiz
"So are these 2 men...? Do you all know if he had any contact with them any at all or was he randomly targeted?"

ASP Reymundo Reyes, Deputy OC - San Ignacio Police
"One of the individual is a person who the gentleman had contact with often. The individual used to visit the gentleman at his residence in Selena area and also when the person wasn't in town, they would always have contact due to the job that he does so he is not a stranger to Mr. Klinck."

Both men have been remanded to Prison by the sitting Magistrate until April 12, 2016. As you heard in the interview, police believe that these 2 young men stole several thousand dollars from Klinck after they stabbed him to death - as many as 14 times. Klinck's valuable camera and editing equipment and electronics were left untouched.

The investigators since have recovered a large quantity of cash from both of them, money which they believe belonged to Klinck. He was reportedly in the process making a land purchase, which is why he had such a large amount of money on him.

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize