Martinez was wanted for murder in the chopping death of Elmer Salazar, 43.

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Jan. 31, 2019– Efrain Beltran Martinez, 54, a Salvadoran employee of Belize Marine and Mooring Services located at Mile 4 ½ on the George Price Highway, who was wanted for the chopping murder of Elmer Salazar, 43, a Guatemalan and former employee of the same company, went to the office of Commissioner of Police Chester Williams, on Raccoon Street, yesterday evening and handed himself in.

Salazar was fatally chopped at about 5:45 Monday evening, and after committing the violent act, Martinez went on the run.

Martinez was arrested and charged with murder, and today, he was taken to the Belize City Magistrate’s Court, where he was arraigned and remanded.

ASP Alejandro Cowo said that Elmer Salazar went to the compound on Monday evening, where he became involved in an argument with some of the workers, including Martinez, who later chopped him with a machete in his head and back.

Salazar was taken to the hospital, but he died shortly after. He was the father of a daughter 10 years old.

A post-mortem exam conducted on Salazar’s body today certified that his death resulted from acute cervicospinal card and traumatic injuries due to multiple chop wounds to the neck.