Former Boxer Félix Verdejo Receives Life Sentences for Murder of Pregnant Lover

Article By Taniya Gisel, Board Member / Writer at BLOCK WORK MEDIA GROUP 

Puerto Rican former boxer Félix Verdejo has been sentenced to two life terms in prison after being found guilty of the murder of his 27-year-old pregnant lover, Keishla Rodríguez. The sentencing, which took place in his native Puerto Rico, was announced by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Verdejo, 30, faced charges of kidnapping leading to death and causing the death of an unborn child. The jury failed to reach unanimous verdicts on charges related to carjacking resulting in death and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. His attorney has stated plans to appeal the sentencing.

In July, Verdejo was found guilty in connection to the death of Rodríguez, a case that has sent shockwaves due to its disturbing details. Prosecutors alleged that Verdejo, who is married with a daughter, executed a premeditated plan involving luring Rodríguez to his car, physically assaulting her, injecting her with drugs, tying her to a cement block with metal wire, and throwing her off a bridge into the San José Lagoon. Co-defendant Luis Antonio Cádiz-Martínez allegedly aided in the crime.

Verdejo, a competitor in the 2012 Olympics in London, had a professional boxing record of 27-12, with his last fight in December 2020. The charges against him were filed five months later after he turned himself in to authorities in San Juan.

During the trial, Cádiz claimed that Verdejo pressured Rodríguez to get an abortion. The anonymous 911 call from Cádiz led authorities to the location of Rodríguez's body. The autopsy revealed the presence of fentanyl and xylazine, a horse sedative, in Rodríguez's system.

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, W. Stephen Muldrow, emphasized that the life sentence holds Verdejo responsible for the pain and suffering inflicted on his victims. The case has underscored the serious consequences for individuals committing violent crimes, especially those involving premeditation and cruelty.

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DATA SOURCE: Boxer Félix Verdejo sentenced to life in prison for grisly killing of pregnant lover (msn.com)