Photo: crimeonline.com
He was arrested in connection with the woman in a suitcase homicide case.
By Maria Lianos-Carbone — Written on Feb 13, 2019
Police have arrested a man in connection with the New York woman whose body was found inside a suitcase on the side of a road in Connecticut. Javier Enrique Da Silva Rojas was arrested and held without bail on charges in the death of Valerie Reyes.
Reyes, 24, disappeared on Jan. 29 from her home in New Rochelle, New York, and was reported missing on Jan. 30 when she did not show up for work. Her family reportedly hired a private investigator shortly after Reyes disappeared. Family members and friends rallied support to publicize her disappearance.
Sadly her body was found in a suitcase along Glenville Road in Greenwich, Connecticut, by a highway crew. Officials said her hands and feet were bound when her body was found on the morning of Feb. 5.
So who is Javier Da Silva and why did he kill Valerie Reyes?
1. He was just arrested.
Da Silva, a 24-year-old man who lives in Flushing, Queens, appeared in White Plains federal court on Tuesday to face a charge of kidnapping resulting in death. Da Silva made a brief appearance in Federal Court in White Plains later Tuesday to face multiple charges. He was then taken into custody for allegedly using a debit card belonging to Reyes, Greenwich police said in a statement released on Tuesday.
“We are confident that the pursuit of justice for Valerie will be successful and we continue to work with the family to provide closure to this tragedy.” Greenwich police said in a statement.
Capt. Robert Berry said at a news conference that Da Silva "admitted a role in the death of Valerie Reyes." That was supported by the FBI agent's sworn statement in the complaint.
"The investigation is not finished yet," Berry said. "There are still loose ends that need to be tied up."
2. He used Reyes’ ATM card.
Federal authorities said Da Silva told authorities that Reyes fell to the floor and hit her head after they had sex on Jan. 29 at her residence. That's when he placed packing tape over her mouth, bound her legs and hands, and stuffed her body into a suitcase that he dumped in Greenwich, Connecticut, according to a complaint filed in White Plains federal court on Tuesday.
Capt. Robert Berry says investigators “zeroed in” on DeSilva after he allegedly used Reyes‘ ATM card to withdraw cash multiple times after her death. Detectives were able to pinpoint that Reyes' bank card was used at a New Rochelle bank around 5 a.m. on Jan. 29, the day she went missing, according to the complaint. Prosecutors said $1,000 was withdrawn.
Surveillance video showed a man wearing a black hooded sweatshirt over his head around the time of the withdrawal. The man arrived in a Honda vehicle and parked across the street from the bank before he walked into the bank, the complaint said. The Honda license plate was captured by a license plate reader which was then traced to a rental car company, which was rented by an unnamed person from Jan. 28 to 29, according to the complaint.
3. Their relationship at the time of her death is still unclear.
Reyes’s family told police she had dated someone named "Javier," but they broke up about a year ago, according to documents. Authorities declined to discuss the relationship between Reyes and Da Silva.
When police searched Reyes' home, prosecutors said, they found a drawing that matches the profile picture of one of Da Silva's social media accounts, which was an important clue for police as they tried to identify the person responsible for her disappearance. Sources said Da Silva is originally from Venezuela and has been in the country illegally since overstaying his visa.
4. Her family is thankful they found the person responsible.
“We are, of course, devastated for my daughter’s death, but I’m just blessed beyond grateful that they found her murderer,” Reyes’ mother, Norma Sanchez told CBS2. “We didn’t think it was going to be this quick, but it’s just a blessing. I kept praying that she would tell me, she would give me hints, a name or something … I just feel so blessed, overwhelmed."
“We’re just grateful we have someone,” she added. “I promised my daughter we would make justice for her and I’m just so grateful to the authorities, investigators, everybody. I am.”
Her mother said Reyes took pity on Da Silva when he claimed his mother in Venezuela was dying of cancer.
“She said, ‘Mami, his mother has cancer, and I just want to be there for him a little more.’ She was an angel. She just wanted to support him more,” Sanchez said. “Again, he was like really pushy, wouldn’t take no for an answer, so my daughter started getting really frustrated with him, and it ended quick.”
"While today's arrest is certainly a welcome conclusion, it in no way alleviates the pain and suffering Valerie's family will continue to feel for years to come. The reality of their situation is utterly unimaginable, as is the crime with which Da Silva is charged," said William F. Sweeney Jr., assistant director in charge of the FBI's New York field office.
Maria Lianos-Carbone is the author of “Oh Baby! A Mom’s Self-Care Survival Guide for the First Year: Because Moms Need a Little TLC, Too!” available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble and publisher of amotherworld.com, a lifestyle blog for women.
YourTango may earn an affiliate commission if you buy something through links featured in this article.