The lifeless body of Sofiel Soto Miranda, aged 53, was discovered on Friday afternoon at 12:40 p.m. in the Ariguanabo River, located in the province of Artemisa.
According to the state-run newspaper El Artemiseño, the discovery shocked the residents of Los Pinareños neighborhood, where the deceased was well-known.
A reporting team visited the victim's home and spoke with his sister, Lilia Rosa Soto Miranda, who confirmed the news and the cause of death, though she withheld further public details.
Lilia explained that Sofiel, affectionately called “Minito,” suffered from paranoid schizophrenia from a young age and was under medical care at the Ariguanabo Mental Health Center, where he received regular medication.
According to Lilia Rosa, her brother's condition often led him to wander both day and night, although he typically did not venture towards the river area.
Community in Mourning
Sofiel's usual path was between his neighborhood and the hospital's vicinity, a route he frequently traveled.
The death of Sofiel has deeply saddened the community. Residents of Los Pinareños describe him as a noble, humble, approachable, and family-oriented man, who was never aggressive despite his illness.
Many have reached out to the family to express their condolences and stand with them in their grief, highlighting the affection he garnered in the community.
The newsroom that reported the case extended their sympathies to Sofiel Soto Miranda's family and friends, in a shared sorrow felt by the whole neighborhood due to an unexpected and tragic loss.
Additional Tragedy Raises Concerns
On the same Friday, it was also reported that a young man named Lázaro Matos, from the town of San Luis, Baracoa, was found dead in the El Paso de los Alemanes area— a geographical feature along the road between Baracoa and Maisí— a place now spoken of with fear and concern among the locals.
A disturbing element that raises questions about the circumstances of the crime is that Lázaro's body was found without his lower garment, suggesting the potential involvement of a woman, who might have either accompanied the young man or been an accomplice in the murder.
Questions about Recent Tragic Events
What condition did Sofiel Soto Miranda suffer from?
Sofiel Soto Miranda suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, which required regular medical attention.
How did the community react to Sofiel's death?
The community was deeply saddened by Sofiel's death, describing him as noble, humble, and family-oriented. Many expressed their condolences to his family.
What unusual circumstance surrounded Lázaro Matos' death?
Lázaro Matos' body was found without his lower garment, leading to speculation about the involvement of a woman in his death.