Puerto Rican boxer Felix Verdejo turned himself in to federal agents on Sunday (May 2) night in connection with the kidnapping and murder of his pregnant mistress, 27-year-old Keishla Rodriguez. Rodriguez's body was found in a lagoon on Saturday, two days after she was reported missing by her family after she didn't show up for her job at an animal grooming business.
The U.S. Attorney's Office announced on Sunday that Verdejo was being charged with kidnapping and carjacking resulting in death and intentionally killing an unborn child. Verdejo is being accused of kidnapping Rodriguez, punching her in the face, and injecting her with an unknown substance bought at a public housing complex. Verdejo then allegedly bound her feet and hands with wire before tying her body to a heavy block and throwing her over a bridge and into a lagoon around 8:30 am. Verdejo then fired several shots at her body.
An unidentified accomplice contacted the FBI and told them that they helped Verdejo "terminate the pregnancy." The person also said they helped Verdejo bind Rodriguez's hands and feet, and they helped throw her over the bridge.
Keila Ortiz, Keishla Rodriguez's mother, said that she warned her daughter on Thursday (April 29) when she said that Verdejo was coming to her home to see the results of her pregnancy test. Ortiz told media outlets, "I told her 'Be careful' because he had threatened her not to have the baby, that he had his family, that he is a boxer, that he is a public figure."
Rodriguez's parents say that Verdejo and their daughter had been friends since middle school, and they stayed in touch. Verdejo is married with one child. He's facing a maximum penalty of death if convicted.
