An illegal immigrant from Ecuador is accused of suffocating a Syracuse woman to death on her 21st birthday and then burying her body in a shallow grave in a park.
Jhon Moises Chacaguasay-Ilbis, 21, is charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a corpse in the death of Joselyn Jhoana Toaquiza, 21. She is also Ecuadorian, but her immigration status is unclear.
Toaquiza's body was found in Lincoln Park in Syracuse, about 15 feet from the tree line.
Chakagwasai-Ilvis turned himself in to police on Tuesday and was booked into jail on Wednesday.
The killer entered the country illegally last year, surrendered at the border and was released into the United States to seek asylum.
Syracuse.com reports:
Chacaguasay-Ilbis traveled to Central New York last week to meet a woman named Joselyn Jhoana Toaquiza for her birthday on Tuesday, June 18, Williams told syracuse.com. The two went to elementary school together in their native Ecuador, Williams said, according to prosecutors.
According to surveillance footage shared by the property owner with his family and police, Chakaguasai-Ilvis was seen entering the Airbnb at 916 Holly Avenue with Toakiza at around 4:20 p.m. on June 18.
Three hours later, the footage shows him carrying Toaquiza on his back, wrapping his arms and legs around her. She appears limping and motionless. It is unclear if she is alive.
Airbnb host found blood inside the house.