Boxer Felix Verdejo Faces Death Penalty After Being Charged With Kidnapping And Killing A Pregnant Women

Former world champion Felix Verdejo has been charged with kidnapping and killing the mother of his unborn child. He reportedly injected her with a syringe before tying her to a heavy block and throwing her off a bridge.

Verdejo is also accused of shooting Keishla Rodriguez’s body after it failed to sink. Rodriguez’s body was then found two days after she was reported missing in a lagoon in San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico.

The FBI said a witness “with firsthand, personal knowledge” of what took place came forward and alleges Verdejo met the victim on Thursday evening in his black SUV before punching her in the face and injecting her with an unknown substance.

Keila Ortiz, the woman’s mother, told reporters that her daughter had called her before she vanished Thursday and told her Verdejo was going to her house to see the results of a pregnancy test.

“I told her, ‘Be careful,’ because he had already threatened her” and told her not to have the baby, mentioning his career and family, she said.

Verdjeo was charged with kidnapping and carjacking resulting in death and with intentionally killing an unborn child and turned himself in to federal agents Sunday night. If convicted, he is facing the death penalty.

Top Rank boxing, who promoted Verdejo released a statement on the situation.

“Top Rank’s thoughts and prayers are with Keishla Marlen Rodriguez Ortiz’s family and friends, and with all those in mourning,” the statement read. “We are deeply disturbed by the news reports, and we will continue to monitor developments in the case as it progresses.”

Verdejo, 27, turned pro in 2012 after representing Puerto Rico at the 2012 Olympics.