Mexico arrests suspect in murder investigations of niece of Spanish soccer federation boss

Record ID: 84927

  • Title: Mexico arrests suspect in murder investigations of niece of Spanish soccer federation boss
  • Date: 3rd October 2016
  • Summary: MEXICO CITY, MEXICO (FILE) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF IBM HEADQUARTERS WHERE VICTIM WORKED ENTRANCE TO IBM HEADQUARTERS EXTERIOR OF SHOPPING MALL WHERE VICTIM HAILED A TAXI TOLUCA, STATE OF MEXICO, MEXICO (FILE) (REUTERS) FORENSICS INVESTIGATIONS LOGO ON SIDE OF VAN PEOPLE OUTSIDE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S HEADQUARTERS IN STATE OF MEXICO EXTERIOR OF ATTORNEY GENERAL'S HEADQUARTERS IN THE STATE OF MEXICO
  • Embargoed: 18th October 2016 22:41
  • Keywords: arrest suspect murder niece of Spanish soccer federation boss Angel Maria Villar Maria Villar Galaz
  • Location: MEXICO CITY, TOLUCA, STATE OF MEXICO, MEXICO
  • City: MEXICO CITY, TOLUCA, STATE OF MEXICO, MEXICO
  • Country: Mexico
  • Reuters ID: LVA00252GDA3N
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Mexican authorities have arrested a suspect reportedly linked to the murder of the niece of Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Angel Maria Villar, officials reported in Mexico City on Monday (October 03).
    The body of Maria Villar Galaz was found in the Mexican city of Toluca earlier this month, two days after she had been kidnapped.
    According to reports, the kidnappers had taken her from a taxi and forced her to withdraw cash from machines.
    Deputy Prosecutor for Investigations for Organised Crime, Gustavo Sales, told media the suspect was arrested on Sunday (October 02) and identified using security camera footage.
    "He (suspect) is the one who's getting out and carries out the cash transactions. We have photos where he can be identified. He has a particular way of dress and also we identified him using the security cameras where we obtained the photos. He then went to the State of Mexico and took part in other incidents with other individuals," said Salas.
    Officials announced they have assembled a profile of the criminal group allegedly responsible for the kidnapping-murder, saying at least two people were involved in the murder.
    Salas added that the decision to kill Villar Galaz was not planned.
    "As for the mobile phone, it was a simple one. We also believe that the decision to take the victim's life was not planned, it was taken after a variety of circumstances, one of which related to the circumstances related to violence committed by the individuals of this group," he reported.
    The 36-year-old Spanish citizen had lived in Mexico for the past three years and had been working at IBM in Santa Fe, one of Mexico City's major business districts in western Mexico City, for the past year.
    She had taken a taxi after leaving from the Patio Santa Fe shopping mall.
    Villar has been president of the RFEF since 1988.
    He was the acting president of European soccer's governing body UEFA between October 2015 and September 2015 and ran to succeed Michel Platini before withdrawing his bid.
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