Email

Print

Tonight, there is a somewhat surprising new development to report in the case of the North American couple murdered in Corozal.  First, we can confirm that the single male suspect who police had detained is a Canadian.  And, second, he will be charged tomorrow. But it’s not a murder charge - in fact, it’s not for any crime in Corozal.  This suspect will be taken to Placencia where he will be charged for an unrelated burglary.  We’re still working on getting details on that alleged crime, but after he is arraigned on that charge, he will then be taken back to Corozal where he will be questioned further on the murder of 52 year old Canadian Francesca Matus and 36 year old American Drew Thomas De Voursey.  As we understand it so far, he is not cooperating with police.  Sketchy information to 7News suggests that the couple may have been targeted for murder by persons familiar to them, possibly in a land dispute.  Police believe that more than one person was involved in the murder.  A post mortem determined that they were both strangled and then taken to a remote sugar road in Chan Chen where the killer or killers dumped their bodies.  A cane farmer who was about to burn the field found them on Monday evening in an advanced state of decomposition. Francesca’s vehicle, a 2003 Isuzu Rodeo was found 6 miles away in Paraiso village.  

Jules Vasquez
"Are there any suspects?"

Sr. Supt. Dennis Arnold, Officer Commanding - Corozal
"We have one person we believe can assist us in our investigation."

Jules Vasquez
"Is that person in custody?"

Sr. Supt. Dennis Arnold
"So far yes."

Reporter
"Is he a local?"

Sr. Supt. Dennis Arnold
"I rather not day."

Jules Vasquez
"Often times these crimes may involve someone with some familiarity or intimacy because he's an ex-marine, according to his physical description, 6 foot 6 if I'm not mistaken. It's not someone lightly taken on. Are you able to say if the suspect may have had some familiarity that these people were not on their guard? Because taking down a 6 foot 6 marine and strangling him, it wouldn't appear to be a quite easy thing, you'd need a very large or a significant number of people to do that."

Sr. Supt. Dennis Arnold
"At this point the investigation is still in its infancy stage and we are looking on that angle also. At this point we cannot say."

Reporter
"So why have one person detained if you believe that there may have been more than one persons involved?"

Sr. Supt. Dennis Arnold
"Could have been."

Reporter
"We know that from our investigation that Francesca also dealt in real estate also. Is this a possible - are you guys looking at that angle that it may have been some land transaction gone wrong and somebody taking revenge. Is that something that you guys are contemplating?"

Sr. Supt. Dennis Arnold
"We are looking on all angles right now. We are looking at some threats that were made, that's all to it so far."

Reporter
"Which one of them sir?"

Sr. Supt. Dennis Arnold
"The female, that's all to it so far."

Reporter
"Can you say how recent those threats may have been made?"

Sr. Supt. Dennis Arnold
"I can't say."

Reporter
"Did she report it?"

Sr. Supt. Dennis Arnold
"No."

Reporter
"Threats against her life?"

Sr. Supt. Dennis Arnold
"Just open threats and I believe that members in the community, their community knows exactly what was happening."

We’ll keep following the story very closely.  A memorial service will be held for Francesca Matus in Corozal tomorrow. She had lived there in the Consejo Shores area for about 6 years.  She was headed for her home in Consejo on the night she was killed - but it appears she never reached.  All her possessions in the home appear to be intact, while Drew Thomas’s cycle was in the driveway.