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They Killed The Cabbie Called “Elvis”
posted (December 18, 2017)
A 69 year old taxi-man was murdered in Belmopan over the weekend. Oswald Lopez also known as Elvis was found dead yesterday afternoon near the Baptist High School at the entrance of Belmopan. His killing has shaken the family and the Belmopan community as he was well known as a friendly and jovial person - not the type to have problems with anyone. Courtney Weatherburne was in Belmopan today to find out more.

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
Hanging out at The Elvis Taxi Stand in Belmopan will never be the same again without Oswald Lopez also known as Elvis. The shed was named after him and today, his longtime friends found peace and joy in the fond memories they had of Lopez at their favorite spot.

Elridge Smith, Friend
(LAUGH) "Oh yes , He used to make me laugh a lot because sometimes you know, nothing please him ,he will come through joke he will say you have to keep the place clean, you can't do this and do this out here, but most of the times we just take it for fun."

While Lopez's friends hang on to their inside jokes to get through their loss, it still doesn't erase the tragedy of his death.

On Sunday afternoon around 3:00, Lopez's body was found on this dirt road next to the Hector Silva Airstrip at the entrance of Belmopan.

His body was thrown on the side of the road near the Baptist High School compound. His gold Kia Sorrento taxi was still running beside him. Lopez was stabbed to death.

ACP Joseph Myvette, NCIB
"In regards to this matter, police is seeking one suspect who they believe can assist in this investigation. We know that there was a struggle between himself and the assailant which resulted in the stabbing incident."

But who was his passenger, was Lopez held up and forced to drive down this road to his death or did his killer pounce on him without warning?

Those are the questions that his family want the answers to because everything seemed fine when they saw him at midday.

Luke Ramos, Son in law
"In terms of what we know, around 12:00, 12:15 he came by the market with us, he got his usual Sunday food and he said nothing is happening at the stand he will go home and get some rest, so that was about 12:00, 12:15 until we got the call that that was what is happening."

Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"He said he was heading home, he didn't say or tell anybody else anything if he was going by a friend or going on a run or anything like that?"

Luke Ramos, Son in law
"Well we were able to confirm because when we went to his house recently we found the plate of food really still there and I kinda know almost exactly what was in the plate so I know he touched some of it and we believe that is when this whole thing started to unravel."

Courtney Weatherburne
"He probably went home to eat and then came out."

Luke Ramos, Son in law
"And what happened after that is anybody's guess."

Darlene Whitfield, Daughter
"Right now we are clueless to everything because he is not a trouble person, he is well known in Belmopan, very well known, he is a taxi-man so right now we have no kind of suspect because everting is like clueless to us."

So while Lopez's family and friends patiently await closure and justice - they have to reclaim some semblance of Christmas cheer without their loved one. And the only way to do that is to celebrate the life he had. Lopez was an entertainer much like his younger brother Andy Palacio - in fact that is how he got his nickname 'Elvis.'

Elridge Smith, Friend
"I knew Elvis from when he used to sing and dance."

Courtney Weatherburne
"He was an entertainer?"

Elridge Smith, Friend
"Oh Yeah, I used to take them, I had a bus and I used to take them to different places so they could play you know."

Luke Ramos, Son in law
"People might not know it but he got the name Elvis because Elvis Presley was his idol, he used to dress and look very much like Elvis Presley."

Lopez leaves behind over 20 kids. As you heard he is Andy Palacio's older brother. If anyone has any information as to what happened or where Lopez went yesterday between 12:00 midday and after 3:00 when he was found dead, the family is pleading for you to inform the police. We will keep following this case. Belmopan police have multiple teams working to crack the case, and we're told they have already collected pieces of apparel worn by the killer, and possibly the murder weapon.

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