7 News Belize

Son of Assistant Commissioner Murdered, Had Underworld Connections
posted (October 16, 2018)
A man was killed on Saturday night on the feeder road connecting Mahogany Heights and La Democracia Village. The victim is 33 year old Noel Leal Jr. - the son of Assistant Commissioner of Police, Noel Sr.

But, unlike his father, Noel Jr. wasn't a lawman, in fact he was accused of being a lawbreaker.

Courtney Weatherburne has more on his mysterious murder:...

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
Noel Leal Jr. was killed on Saturday night - his body left inside this blue Volkswagen on the feeder road near Mahogany Heights. Police arrived on scene at 2:00 Sunday morning.

ASP Alejandro Cowo, OC, CIB
"Inside of the vehicle there was the motionless body of a male person who was sitting on the drivers' side of the vehicle. The person had what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the back of his head. And the bullet went through his front, to the front face, to the front side of the face, and then exited through the windshield of the vehicle."

But police had to rush over to Leal's house in Ladyville right after.

ASP Alejandro Cowo, OC, CIB
"Just after the discovery of his body, family members reported to the police that they found the house slightly opened, one of the doors. Upon police inspecting the house at the same #13 Ceasar Street, they went into the residence and observed that the residence was ransacked."

One of Leal's neighbors says she didn't hear or see anything out of the ordinary on Saturday night. She was surprised to hear the news of Leal's murder and to see the police outside his home on Sunday morning.

Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"So I am sure you were very shocked to hear about his murder."

Voice of: Jennifer Martinez, Neighbor
"Yes."

Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"And you mentioned that you and your husband saw him on Saturday evening?"

Voice of: Jennifer Martinez, Neighbor
"Yes probably before sunset not sure about what time."

Courtney Weatherburne
"Just tell us what you saw early Sunday morning around what time, outside his house."

Voice of: Jennifer Martinez, Neighbor
"Like before 7:00, you could see the crowd of people on the roadside, police vehicle and scenes of crime."

But why was Leal targeted ? What were his killers looking for and did they find it in his home? Police are still trying to find the answers to this question. Police are looking at several angles including his run in with the law in June 2017 when he was charged with drug trafficking.

Jules Vasquez, reporter
"We know that previously Mr. Leal had been charged for trafficking high grade marijuana. We know also that he was also reportedly, reputedly involved in this trade. Might the person who killed him, person or persons who killed him then went to look for his stash either of money or this high grade marijuana?"

ASP Alejandro Cowo, OC, CIB
"Well, it is something that we are looking at. We cannot tell you what exactly is missing from his house as we are still communicating with family members for them to verify if indeed anything is missing from the house, noh. Yes, they have confirmed that small things have been missing, but there's nothing that they have said that any money or any drugs was inside of the house."

Jules Vasquez
"Is there any known motive for the crime. Do you know who he was last seen with?"

ASP Alejandro Cowo, OC, CIB
"Well that is something we are following up. We understand that he was here in Belize City sometime after 9:00 and that was the last time he was seen alive."

Jules Vasquez
"Is there any truth to the report that maybe he had been gambling and had had some winnings at that?"

ASP Alejandro Cowo, OC, CIB
"Well that is another angle that we are also looking, noh?"

And Leal's family and friends hope that one of these angles leads to justice for their loved one.

ACP Leal Sr. declined comment.

Our information is that Leal is well connected with street figures in the city, so police will be on alert to avoid possible retaliation.

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