The security guard of a foreign currency store in the Bahía (Guiteras) neighborhood of Havana, found dead on Tuesday morning with clear signs of violence, has been identified as Efrén Ernesto Echemendía Carvajal. Echemendía Carvajal, who was 51 years old and resided in the Regla municipality, was murdered with extreme violence and brutality, according to crime reporter Niover Licea, citing testimony from individuals allegedly familiar with the case.
Although the victim worked as a security guard at the El Rocío store in the mentioned municipality of Habana del Este, the killer did not steal anything from the establishment.
The assailant only took the victim's cell phone and shoes, leaving his body abandoned not inside the commercial establishment but in a nearby dumpster. A machete was found next to the body.
Niover Licea noted that the victim's mother is 97 years old and is unaware of her son's death. She was told that he left the country on a boat.
A family member of the deceased mentioned in the publication that "the investigation is ongoing," and that what is being spread are "rumors."
"May your soul rest in peace, my friend. We will miss you, Efrén. We, his family and friends, just ask for justice. Rest in peace," commented a source close to the victim.
Earlier, the reporter had indicated that, despite being found in the morning, the victim's body was not removed from the scene until around two in the afternoon.
The body of the security guard was held for a wake on Tuesday night at the funeral home in Regla. According to witnesses, the wake was delayed because there was no hearse to transport the body, a problem that has become increasingly common in Cuba and is part of the crisis in funeral services across the country.
Shocked by the crime, several Cubans have expressed their concern and fear over the insecurity in the country amid the rising crime rates.
Just a week ago, another security guard was murdered, this time at a notary's office in Santiago de Cuba.
Key Questions About the Security Guard Murder in Havana
Here are some crucial questions and answers regarding the recent murder of the security guard in Havana, which has shocked the local community and highlighted issues of rising crime and insecurity.
Who was the victim of the recent murder in Havana?
The victim was Efrén Ernesto Echemendía Carvajal, a 51-year-old security guard residing in the Regla municipality.
Where was Echemendía Carvajal's body found?
His body was found in a dumpster near the El Rocío store in the Habana del Este municipality.
What items were stolen from the victim?
The assailant took the victim's cell phone and shoes.
What challenges delayed the wake for Echemendía Carvajal?
The wake was delayed due to the lack of a hearse to transport the body, a recurring issue in Cuba's funeral services.