Ricardo Eudi Soler, the stepson of 74-year-old Ángel Luis Mercantety Quiñones, who was found decapitated in Santiago de Cuba, described the crime as a horrific act. He emphasized that his stepfather was a quiet man who rarely left the confines of his home.
In an interview with Martí Noticias, Soler recounted that his stepfather disappeared on August 21st after visiting a neighbor with whom he had worked in the education sector before retiring. "He's a teacher, and that person has already been detained," Soler stated. According to him, the suspect invited Mercantety to his house under the pretense of watching television. "He told me he felt guilty because the man had invited him several times before, so he decided to spend some time there, and since that night... he never returned," Soler explained.
The family, grappling with uncertainty, questioned why such a tragedy occurred. Soler noted, "He didn't go out, didn't visit others, was a family-oriented person who rarely participated in social activities."
After reporting the disappearance, the family received conflicting stories from the detained individual, who misled them by suggesting they search in another district. "He directed us to a place called Los Ecuatorianos, and I was searching frantically, mobilizing friends from the neighborhood," Soler recounted.
On Tuesday, August 25th, authorities discovered a decomposed human head in a garbage container in the Abel Santamaría area. Hours later, the decapitated body was found inside the suspect's residence, as confirmed by the family. "First, the head in a trash container, and then the body remains in that man's house," Soler detailed.
The following day, Soler was summoned to El Cobre cemetery, where he identified his stepfather's body by a piece of clothing.
The state-run media profile, Héroes del Moncada, associated with the Ministry of the Interior, reported that the detained 60-year-old resident confessed to violently killing the victim on August 21st after consuming alcohol, citing a "personal vendetta" as the motive.
This crime comes amid an unprecedented surge in criminal activity throughout Cuba.
Understanding the Rise in Crime in Cuba
What led to the murder of Ángel Luis Mercantety Quiñones?
The murder was reportedly motivated by a "personal vendetta" following an alcohol-fueled confrontation between Mercantety Quiñones and the suspect.
How did the authorities discover the remains?
Authorities found a decomposed head in a garbage container, and later the decapitated body inside the suspect's home.
Why is crime increasing in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing an unprecedented rise in crime due to various socio-economic factors, including economic hardships and social unrest.