His family says that the Belize City resident went to Calcutta to try to change his life

CALCUTTA, Corozal District, Thurs. May 24, 2018– Jose Zelaya, Jr., 22, a laborer of Mahogany Street Extension, Belize City, left the city on Friday, May 18, to go and live with family members in Calcutta, in the Corozal District. His father said that Jose wanted to change his life, so he went to live outside of the city.

Police and a number of other persons saw Zelaya at a beach party in Corozal Town on Sunday, but shortly after that outing, he disappeared. His body was found yesterday evening in a cane field near a school in Calcutta.

Jose’s father, Jose Zelaya, Sr., told us about 10:30 this morning that the body of his son was still in the cane field where it was found. Information to us is that Jose, Jr., was kidnapped on Sunday night, and was held captive until he was killed.

Jose’s father said that his son may have been kidnapped due to some misdeed carried out by his other son. He said that Jose, Jr., was known to police, but he was making an effort to change his life.

Information to us is that Zelaya’s body was in a state of decomposition, and an onsite post-mortem was scheduled to be performed today, after which he would have been buried.

Also, information to us is that no chop or gunshot wounds were seen on the body.

Police said they have detained two men who they believe can help them with their investigations, while they await the results of the autopsy.