On April 22nd, 2021, former Puerto Rican boxer Félix Verdejo was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his pregnant lover, Keishla Rodríguez. The 27-year-old was found guilty of kidnapping and carjacking resulting in death, as well as killing an unborn child.
The case has been highly publicized due to its tragic nature and the fact that Verdejo was once a promising boxer. He was a member of the 2012 Puerto Rican Olympic team and had a professional record of 24-5-0.
The events leading up to the murder began on April 29th, 2020, when Rodríguez told Verdejo that she was pregnant with his child. Verdejo then arranged to meet her at a bridge in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he injected her with a syringe filled with an unknown substance. He then tied her up with wire and threw her off the bridge.
Afterwards, Verdejo shot at her body multiple times with a pistol before fleeing the scene. Rodríguez’s body was found in a lagoon near the bridge the following day.
Verdejo’s conviction is a reminder of the importance of justice for victims of violence, especially those who are pregnant. It is also a reminder that no matter how successful someone may be, they are still capable of committing heinous acts.
The sentence is a fitting punishment for Verdejo’s crime and sends a strong message that violence against pregnant women will not be tolerated. It is hoped that this case will serve as an example to others that such acts will not go unpunished.
