BEVERLY HILLS, May 03, (THEWILL) – Felix Verdejo, boxer with Top Rank Boxing, the Las Vegas boxing promotional company founded by Jabir Herbert Muhammad and Bob Arum, is in trouble and facing multiple charges after he was implicated in the death of Keishla Rodriguez Ortiz, whose body was found in a Puerto Rico lagoon on Friday.
The Associated Press report that the FBI complaints against the boxer have it that he punched Ortiz in the face before injecting her with “an unidentified substance bought at a public housing complex,” after her family members said the married woman had gone to tell Verdejo that she was pregnant with his child before she went missing.
FBI, who claims of a third-party involvement in the killing, said Verdejo intended to conceal his actions by making sure Ortiz was not found and wrapped wire around Ortiz’s arms and feet while also tying a heavy block to her before throwing her off a bridge into the lagoon. Then, Verdejo allegedly shot at Ortiz’s body from the bridge to make sure she did not survive.
The dead body of Ortiz was, however, identified through dental records on Sunday, according to Puerto Rico’s Institute of Forensic Science reports.
Verdejo, who has a 27-2 record with 17 knockouts during his boxing career, was questioned by Puerto Rican police on Friday regarding the disappearance of Ortiz. The boxer refused to answer any questions asked but turned himself in on Sunday.
The charges that have been brought against Verdejo include kidnapping resulting in death, carjacking resulting in death and killing an unborn child. If he is convicted, Verdejo could face the death penalty for these crimes.
On Saturday, Top Rank, which represents Verdejo, released a statement that said: “Top Rank’s thoughts and prayers are with Keishla Marlen Rodriguez Ortiz’s family and friends, and with all those in mourning.
“We are deeply disturbed by the news reports, and we will continue to monitor developments in the case as it progresses.”
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Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
