The Homicide Division of the Criminal Investigations Corps (CIC) in Humacao is investigating a tip that could establish the identity of a man found shot and burned next to a torched vehicle on a road in Maunabo. Lieutenant Josué Vázquez, assistant director of the Humacao CIC, said investigators are trying to verify whether a name obtained through the tip belongs to the victim, while still awaiting formal identification from the Institute of Forensic Sciences (ICF). He noted no missing-person reports are currently on file. Vehicle theft investigators are checking a possible stolen-vehicle lien to confirm the car's make and model; Vázquez described it as an old Suzuki Grand Vitara.
Multiple spent shell casings of different calibers were recovered at the scene, suggesting the man was executed there. Initial reports said the body was found inside the burned car, but Vázquez later clarified it was found burned beside the vehicle. Firefighters arrived to extinguish the fire and discovered a severely obese man, weighing about 400 pounds, with gunshot wounds. Police were alerted at 4:15 p.m.
Friday to a car in flames via an anonymous call to the 9-1-1 Emergency System. No motive has yet been determined.