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18 Year Old Crevan Cardinez Was Dumped Overboard and Left For Dead
posted (August 24, 2017)
Yesterday we told you about a report that a man was thrown out of a boat by Rock Park on Princess Margaret Drive. Two Fisheries officers saw it and deployed their own vessels while also calling the police and Coast Guard who deployed divers and boats, but found nothing.

But the report was accurate, and the body was found this morning, in the sea near the municipal airstrip. It is 18 year old Crevan Cardinez - a young man from the gang neighborhood of Taylor's Alley who was just in court two weeks ago, accused of shooting at someone here in the city. He was also found with a gun. And now, just 6 days after getting released on bail, he's dead. Today, police told us what they know so far:

ASP Alejandro Cowo, OC - CIB
"In reference to the body from this morning it is in relationship to the male person who was allegedly thrown out of the boat yesterday by New Town Barracks. This morning members of the Coast Guard were patrolling in the municipal airstrip area where they encountered the body of a male person floating in the water, as a result they called in for the police, the police went and retrieved the body of the male person."

"Upon inspection of the body, we observed it had 3 stab wounds to the abdomen area and chest area. We believe that was the injury that caused the death of the male person."

Courtney Weatherbure, reporter
"Do you have any more details in terms of the investigation or what happened?"

ASP Alejandro Cowo, OC - CIB
"So far we don't have no other information, all the information we gathered from yesterday was that the personnel that were around the fisheries department, they saw the commotion and called the police, upon the arrival the person had already been thrown into the sea and the boat had already left from the area."

Cardinez was facing charges for aggravated assault and escape from lawful custody along with kept firearm and ammunition without a gun license. He was to be remanded until September 25th but was released on Supreme Court bail last Friday.

Tonight, his family - spread out between Dangriga and Orange Walk is left with more questions than answers. His cousin who he grew up with in Dangriga spoke to us today about the incident.

Sahar Vasquez, reporter
"Is there anything that may have led to this happening to your cousin?"

Travan Smith, Cousin of Deceased
"Can't say he was good and nothing right. It could be gang related or anything I can't say what really occurred to this incident with him."

Sahar Vasquez, reporter
"One week ago he was accused of shooting someone, do you think that could have been related to it? And he was just released from jail on bail."

Travan Smith
"Maybe that could be the thing for true cause how they say that when you come out of jail your head will come out."

Sahar Vasquez, reporter
"Is this really completely unexpected for you and your family?"

Travan Smith
"This is really an unexpected for us because he said he would change his life and find a job and look out for his 2 kids."

Police have located video footage from the fisheries department that may show the boat speeding away. We will keep you posted on the developments. Smith is asking family members to reach out to him at 633-8787.

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