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Portrait of Alleged Killer Emerges; Javier Da Silva Is Citizen of Portugal Who Overstayed Visa
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Details have emerged in the awful killing of Valerie Reyes, a 24-year-old resident of New Rochelle whose body was found inside a suitcase in the woods along Glenville Road on Feb 5.
Javier Da Silva, 24, of Flushing, Queens, formerly Ms. Reyes’ boyfriend, was arrested on Feb 12 and charged with Kidnapping resulting in death, a felony that is punishable by death or life in prison.
According to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, “ICE,” Mr. Da Silva, who is is currently in the custody of US Marshals Service, is a citizen of Portugal who entered the US legally through a Visa Waiver Program on May 8, 2017. They say he was required to leave by Aug 5, 2017 and faces deportation.
According to a complaint unsealed in White Plains court, FBI special agent Daniel McKenna said that on or about Jan 28, Mr. Da Silva kidnapped the victim, Ms Reyes in New Rochelle, bound her feet and hands, placed packing tape over her mouth, put her in a suitcase, and transported her to Greenwich where he disposed of her body resulting in her death.
McKenna, a special agent for nearly 20 years, said Ms. Reyes‘ family reported her missing on Jan 30 at 2:43pm, and that on Feb 5 the red suitcase was located near Glenville Rd by public works personnel who unzipped the suitcase and found a deceased victim inside. They called police who described the female as barefoot with an unbuttoned shirt and denim jeans, bound at the feet and knees, and her hands were bound behind her back with what appeared to be white twine and packing tape. There was also packing tape over her mouth and chin, and obvious signs of head trauma including bruising around the face and a large hematoma to her forehead.
McKenna said at the time law enforcement discovered the body, the victim was in the early stages of decomposition and that on Feb 6 the assistant medical examiner determined the cause of death to be a homicide. The victim’s father and brother positively identified Ms. Reyes the same day.
Reviewing the investigation, McKenna said on or about Jan 29 Ms Reyes’ debit card was used in New Rochelle at about 5:00am and that footage from a City of New Rochelle camera showed a black Honda CR-V pull in and park across the street, and a male in a black hooded sweatshirt over his head, dark pants and black sneakers with white soles go in and out of the bank vestibule. A license plate reader captured the Honda at about 6:27am at the intersection of North Ave at Lincoln Ave in New Rochelle. The car was determined to be rented from a Car Sharing Company out of Flushing and Da Silva was one of the two authorized users on the account.
Surveillance cameras at Da Silva’s condo show a man matching the individual on bank surveillance footage leave at about 10:50pm on Jan 28. The next day, Jan 29, the footage shows Da Silva at 9:43am returning to the condo in a long tan coat and carrying a duffel bag. He left the condo without the duffel bag several minutes later. On or about Feb 6 Da Silva rented the Honda from the Car Sharing Company and returned it the same day.
Also according to the complaint, Ms. Reyes’ family told police that Valerie dated “Javier” but ended the relationship a year earlier. A drawing of Da Silva was found during a search of Ms. Reyes residence on Feb 5, and McKenna said it appeared identical to the profile in Da Silva’s social media account.
Da Silva was arrested for Larceny on Feb 11 for using the victim’s debit card.
In a video of his interview with New Rochelle Police, Da Silva said he had sex with the victim at her residence and at some point she fell to the floor and hit her head. He told police that he placed packing tape over her mouth, bound her legs and hands, and put her in a suitcase. “He then said that he placed the suitcase in his car and drove way. After driving for some time, Da Silva stated that he placed the suitcase in a forest.”
Da Silva’s case is now in the hands of federal authorities. The Federal Bureau of Investigation will oversee the continuing investigation, which is being prosecuted by the US Attorney’s office Southern District of New York.
See also:
Retired Homicide Expert: Reyes Killer Likely Amateur, Spooked While Driving with Victim in Trunk
Da Silva Charged with Murder of Valerie Reyes
GPD: Javier DeSilva of Queens, NY “Admitted a Role in Death of Valerie Reyes
Greenwich Police Make Arrest in Valerie Reyes Homicide
In his Instagram, Da Silva, whose user name is JDS and the tagline “Beauty is everywhere” shared this photo of himself .