Who are Felix Verdejo's parents? A look at boxer's childhood as he's charged in Keishla Rodriguez's murder
Puerto Rican boxer Felix Verdejo surrendered to federal agents on Sunday night, May 2, just hours after authorities found his 27-year-old lover's body, officials said.
Keishla Rodriguez Ortiz's body was discovered in a lagoon in the capital of the US territory on Saturday, May 1, a few days after she went missing. The Institute of Forensic Science of Puerto Rico said in a statement that she was identified via dental records on May 2.
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Where are Felix Verdejo's parents?
Verdejo was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Demetrio Verdejo Colon and Madeline Sanchez on May 19, 1993. There is not much information about the couple, but it is known that Verdejo has two brothers and two sisters — Yachira, Yovaleris, José and Reichani Verdejo Sánchez. Felix was the only boxer in his family and he started boxing when he was nine years old, according to Latest Celeb Articles. He won the lightweight category of the 2012 American Boxing Olympic Qualification Tournament as an amateur.
Verdejo was involved in a motorcycle accident on his way from Fajardo to Carolina, Puerto Rico, on August 7, 2016. He was initially in critical condition, but he soon recovered at a local hospital. He was with a friend who was unharmed. He sustained a head injury as well as minor lacerations. On August 19, Verdejo was released from the hospital.
According to a source quoted by Playersbio, Verdejo first became interested in boxing when he was a child. Reportedly, when another boy (apparently a boxer) hurled rocks at him, Verdejo went home to complain to his father, to which his old man said that he wanted his son to practise boxing and spar with the boy. When he was nine years old, the Puerto Rican boxer went to a gym with his godfather, Angel Rivera, near his hometown of Los Gladiolas, reports ESPN. When he turned pro on December 6, 2012, with a win over Leo Chavez, he still lived with his mom, Madeline Sanchez, in Puerto Rico.
Verdejo is accused of punching Rodriguez in the face and injecting her with an unspecified drug purchased at a public housing complex, according to a criminal complaint filed by the FBI. He then allegedly bound her arms and feet with wire and tied her to a heavy block before tossing her off a bridge at 8.30 am on Thursday, reported Stuff.co. Verdejo then allegedly fired a gun at Rodriguez's body as he stood on the bridge, according to the lawsuit. The duo had known each other since childhood, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
The FBI's spokesperson, Limary Cruz, told The Associated Press that charges were being filed and would be released shortly. Verdejo and his attorneys previously declined to comment and police have said that the boxer initially refused to cooperate and answer questions. Verdejo is facing charges of kidnapping resulting in death, carjacking resulting in death and killing an unborn child. The charges carry a maximum penalty of death, according to federal prosecutors.