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A Pawling, Santos Vasquez Ramirez, has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Aurelio Zhunio-Orbez, a 66-year-old taxi driver from Danbury, Connecticut. The Putnam County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest on Friday night (December 12). Zhunio-Orbez's body was discovered in the Croton Falls Reservoir earlier this month after he was reported missing on December 1.
According to the Newstimes, Vasquez Ramirez, aged 28, confessed to the crime during questioning. Investigators used surveillance footage and forensic evidence to identify and arrest him. The motive for the killing reportedly stemmed from a dispute over a taxi fare. The suspect was also charged with first-degree robbery after Zhunio-Orbez's livery cab, a black Toyota Sienna, was stolen and later found abandoned.
Zhunio-Orbez was a well-known figure in his community, serving as a church leader at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Danbury. He is survived by his wife and four children. The Putnam County Sheriff's Office extended condolences to his family, emphasizing Zhunio-Orbez's contributions as a hardworking community member. Several GoFundMe pages have been established, raising over $15,000 for his funeral expenses.
Vasquez Ramirez was arraigned in the Town of Southeast Court on Saturday (December 13). The case is expected to proceed through the justice system as authorities continue to analyze DNA evidence from the scene.