The lifeless body of José Alberto Campo Cruz, a 65-year-old Cuban who had been missing since January 3 in the town of Morón, Ciego de Ávila, is believed to have been discovered. "According to my contact at the scene, José Alberto's body has finally been found, bringing weeks of searching and worry for his family and friends to an end," reported activist Irma Broek on Facebook, who has been following the case since the disappearance was reported.
The source indicated that the body was located "in the backyard of the confessed killer's house, who, along with two other men, took his life on the same day he disappeared." It was previously revealed that one man had confessed to participating in the crime, stating he acted with two accomplices.
According to the alleged murderer's account, the victim was returning home on a bicycle from an event at a school when he passed by the murderer's house. At that moment, he was invited to have a drink, and once they were in the backyard, a dispute arose over a check-related issue. The tension escalated until, in a fit of rage, the aggressor struck Campo Cruz with a machete, ending his life. Subsequently, with the help of the other two accomplices, they disposed of the body.
In a photo shared by the sources, the house of the alleged aggressor was highlighted in red, while the search area was marked in blue and yellow.
Campo Cruz was a geography teacher, a methodology expert, and also held positions as a Party secretary. He served as a delegate for over 40 years and a judge in the city's court, according to his daughter, who raised the alarm about his disappearance on social media.
As often happens in such cases, some internet users have even expressed joy over the man's death, a sentiment condemned by some Morón residents. "No one has the right to take another's life. Yes, he held many positions, but he wasn't involved in politics or anything like that, and he helped anyone who needed it. He was a human being and a person, and he had a daughter and grandchildren," rebuked one commenter.
Since January 24, Elien Campos, the daughter of José Alberto Campos Cruz, has made several Facebook posts seeking help to find her father. "My father, José Alberto Campos Cruz, 65, known by many in Morón, disappeared on January 3. After attending an event with friends, he was heading home on the Patria road stretch, between the Rafaela bridge and Carlos Lens, where he lives, when he vanished," she wrote in her initial plea for help.
On February 21, her desperation grew, and she made another post calling for more community and authority support to intensify the search: "Dad, I will do whatever it takes, no matter the cost, to find you. It cannot be that in such a small town, people vanish without a trace. I need more support from the authorities, and as his daughter, if I don't get answers, I will go wherever I have to go, but I will not settle for 'no trace.' Help me make this post go viral. This is a daughter desperate to find her father, a man of principles, a revolutionary who has given everything for this country. Help!" she wrote.
As of the writing of this article, official sources have yet to comment on the alleged discovery of the body.
Key Questions About the Alleged Murder in Ciego de Ávila
What led to the discovery of José Alberto Campo Cruz's body?
The body was reportedly found in the backyard of the confessed killer's house, following a confession by one of the suspects involved in the alleged murder.
What role did José Alberto Campo Cruz have in his community?
José Alberto Campo Cruz was a geography teacher, methodology expert, Party secretary, and served as a delegate and judge in his community for over 40 years.
How has the community reacted to the news of his death?
While some individuals expressed inappropriate joy over his death, others condemned these reactions, emphasizing that no one has the right to take a life and remembering him as a helpful and principled person.