A pregnant lady was drugged, tied to a block, and pushed into a lagoon by a former professional boxer, who was convicted last week. The woman passed away in the lagoon.
Félix Verdejo-Sánchez was sentenced to life in prison by a federal judge in San Juan for the 2021 murder of Keishla Rodriguez Ortiz and her unborn baby, according to a statement released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Puerto Rico. In July, Verdejo-Sánchez was found guilty of killing an unborn baby on purpose and carrying out a kidnapping that resulted in death.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office claims that Verdejo-Sánchez “executed a premeditated plan” to assassinate Rodriguez Ortiz on April 29, 2021, while she was pregnant. Luis Antonio Cádiz-Martínez and Verdejo-Sánchez gave her a medication pump while she was inside his Dodge Durango before tying her to a cement block. Rodriguez Ortiz was thrown into a lagoon below by the two guys as they drove to the Teodoro Moscoso Bridge.
Verdejo-Sánchez and Cádiz-Martínez Face Trial for the Murder of Rodriguez Ortiz
Verdejo-Sanchez “later leapt into the lagoon to finalize murdering both victims.”
On April 29, 2021, Rodriguez Ortiz was reported missing to the Puerto Rico Police. After two days, her body was discovered. On May 6, 2021, the two men were charged and faced the possibility of capital punishment.
Cádiz-Martínez testified against Verdejo-Sánchez during his trial last year, according to The Associated Press, after entering a guilty plea. Cádiz-Martínez disclosed that he notified the authorities about the location where he and Verdejo-Sánchez had placed Rodriguez Ortiz’s corpse. They threw her into the river, and they said she was still alive.
Rodriguez Ortiz reportedly had both fentanyl and a horse sedative in her bloodstream, according to the Associated Press. Verdejo-Sánchez allegedly advised Rodriguez Ortiz to have an abortion before the murder.
After competing in the London 2012 Olympics, Verdejo-Sánchez turned pro in the lightweight boxing class.
Following the verdict, W. Stephen Muldrow, the U.S. Attorney for Puerto Rico, stated: “Verdejo-Sánchez’s life sentence rightfully holds him accountable for the anguish and suffering he inflicted on his victims.” The defendant has not changed his attitude toward life. Verdejo-Sánchez is now aware that the Justice Department and this office will pursue legal action to the utmost degree possible against anyone who violates federal law by committing cold-blooded violent crimes.”