Tonight, police are investigating the death of 44 year-old Biscayne resident John Ortiz, and all indications are that he was murdered.
This morning, news went out that police found his body in the Sandhill area between miles 19 and 20 on the Phillip Goldson Highway. Police confirmed that he had a cut wound to the right side of his chin, one to the right eyebrow area, another injury to the right side of the head, and a scrape to the right cheek. There was an unusual clue as well; the officers saw what looked to be a shoe impression imprinted in blood.
The cops moved in quickly, and picked up a suspect who allegedly had blood on his heels and his calf. He's being questioned by investigators, and has reportedly confessed to the killing.
This afternoon, our news team spoke with one of his sisters, who shared what information they could with us, based on the very little they knew so far:
Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"There's two theories that we have heard: 1) that he may have been knocked down and other that he may have been killed. What all do you know?"
Yvette Ortiz - Sister of Deceased
"Well at this time we don't know anything about what happened. The police just came to us this morning and told us that he died but we don't know what cause. So we are just waiting for some answer."
Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Share with us, where was he this morning or the last time you all saw him. Does he have any homes or family members in Sandhill or Gardenia?"
Yvette Ortiz - Sister of Deceased
"The last time I spoke to him was on Saturday. He left and he went to Belama on Sunday for a birthday party. He left from there and he was heading up to Gardenia where he lives."
Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Is he someone who travels the road? Talk to us about his habits, in terms of as far as you all are aware, would he be someone that is on the road side putting himself in any kind of unnecessary risk?"
Yvette Ortiz - Sister of Deceased
"He has always hitch-hiking and on the roads late hours of the night. He likes to drink yes, but sometimes he would normally know what he is doing."
Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"There's a possibility that he may have been killed. However, slight. The police are trying to determine that he has been murdered. If that's the case, it would come as a shock to you all right?"
Yvette Ortiz - Sister of Deceased
"Yes"
Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Did he have any enemies anything like that, that would indicate that something like this could happen to him?"
Yvette Ortiz - Sister of Deceased
"Well we don't know if he has any enemies, but I know he is a very friendly person. He is always willing to do anything for anyone."
Jules Vasquez, 7News
"When we got the police report they said they found a foot print, a foot print on his face, have you all heard anything like that?"
Yvette Ortiz - Sister of Deceased
"No, at this moment when we leave from here we are going up to Ladyville to the police station to do some investigation to see what they said."
Jules Vasquez, 7News
"Someone from the neighborhood has been detained reportedly from that general area."
Yvette Ortiz - Sister of Deceased
"We don't know anything as yet."
Jules Vasquez, 7News
"Would you be surprised if somebody victimize him and chance him out of his life, as they say?"
Yvette Ortiz - Sister of Deceased
"I should believe so. It's a great loss for us. His dad is a very old person, he is going to be 95 years old on Thursday. We don't let him know anything as yet."
Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"What are some of the things that stands out with John?"
Yvette Ortiz - Sister of Deceased
"He is a humble person. He is always willing to do anything for anyone."
Police sources tell us that the cops have strong reasons to believe that Ortiz's death was a robbery turned murder. Suspects have reportedly given investigators a detailed confession of the crime and how it happened. Ortiz was reportedly robbed of 15 dollars and lashed out with a two by four.
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