A man has been apprehended and charged with second-degree murder after confessing to killing another man using a metal pipe and concealing the body inside an industrial refrigerator located behind a bar in northwest Miami-Dade, according to local authorities. This grim discovery took place last Friday around 3:00 p.m. when maintenance workers from Reddy Ice visited the Chicagoan Bar, situated at 10702 NW 7th Avenue in the unincorporated area of Pinewood, to service an ice machine. Upon opening the unit, they stumbled upon the bloodied body of a man, who was already deceased, prompting the immediate response of police and rescue personnel.
The victim, whose identity had not been disclosed by Wednesday, was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics from the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department. A subsequent forensic report confirmed that the death resulted from homicidal violence.
A swift investigation led homicide detectives from the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office (MDSO) to identify 35-year-old Óscar Rivera-Peraza, who had no known address, as the primary suspect. Fake identification documents found near the body helped authorities locate him on Tuesday. During questioning, Rivera-Peraza admitted to repeatedly striking the victim with a metal pipe before placing the body in the refrigerator, as reported by CBS Miami.
The suspect is currently held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center without bond, according to county jail records available on the Miami-Dade Corrections Department website.
Community Shocked by Grisly Crime
The news has sent shockwaves through the neighborhood and among local business owners. "This isn't a perfect neighborhood, but you don't expect something like this here," remarked an employee of a nearby restaurant during an interview with Telemundo 51. Another account revealed that the victim was a known homeless individual in the area. "The last time I saw him, he came by for food... we always tried to help him," shared a local resident, visibly moved.
The crime, which was witnessed by few and discovered by chance, has stirred unease in the community. "We only saw patrol cars and officers going in and out, but we never imagined it was something this serious," added a worker from another business.
Rivera-Peraza appeared before a judge on Wednesday, who ruled that there was sufficient evidence to uphold the formal homicide charge. The motives behind the attack have not been disclosed by authorities, as reported by Local 10 News.
FAQs on Miami-Dade Homicide Case
What led to the discovery of the body?
The body was discovered by maintenance workers from Reddy Ice while servicing an ice machine at the Chicagoan Bar.
Who is the primary suspect in the case?
Óscar Rivera-Peraza, a 35-year-old man with no known address, is the primary suspect in the case.
How did the authorities locate the suspect?
Authorities located the suspect with the help of fake identification documents found near the body.
What is the current status of the suspect?
The suspect, Rivera-Peraza, is currently detained at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center without bond.