Norristown man charged with murdering companion and concealing the body in a trash can.
A gruesome discovery along the Schuylkill River Trail in Norristown, Pennsylvania, has led to the identification of a murder victim and the arrest of a suspect. The victim, named as 44-year-old Oscar Travezio-Tercero, was found deceased inside an abandoned trash can by a passerby who was drawn to a foul odor emanating from the refuse container.
The incident unfolded on a Monday, when the man, unable to shake his curiosity about the stench, returned to the trash can, only to uncover a human leg beneath a blanket. Following this shocking find, Norristown police were alerted, and an investigation commenced. The Montgomery County Medical Examiner’s Office later determined that Travezio-Tercero had died from blunt-force trauma to the head.
In the aftermath of the discovery, authorities identified 46-year-old Felix Santos-Colon as the primary suspect in the case. Santos-Colon, who frequently performed odd jobs at a nearby car wash where Travezio-Tercero was known to sleep, has been charged with the murder. According to police reports, he allegedly assaulted Travezio-Tercero with a baseball bat. The precise motivation for the attack remains unclear, though it has been indicated that Travezio-Tercero had previously attempted to intervene in a situation involving a woman reportedly dating Santos-Colon.
As the investigation developed, detectives scrutinized security footage and learned that Travezio-Tercio was last seen alive on November 4. On November 5, surveillance images revealed Santos-Colon pushing an unusually heavy trash can toward the trail, with the assistance of another individual.
In conversations with police, Santos-Colon claimed he struck Travezio-Tercio in a fit of rage, asserting that he felt threatened by the victim. After the fatal incident, he initially contemplated burying Travezio-Tercio’s body in a nearby cemetery but ultimately chose to conceal it in the trash can instead. His daughter later became concerned about his behavior, noting that he had made alarming statements implying involvement in a serious crime. Following media reports about the discovered body, the daughter contacted law enforcement, expressing her suspicions regarding her father’s potential connection to the situation.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele acknowledged the complexity of the case, highlighting the challenges presented by the victim and the suspect both being unhoused. Nevertheless, he commended the determination of local law enforcement to pursue justice. The investigation underscores the ongoing issues surrounding violence and homelessness within the community, reiterating that violence will not be tolerated. The case continues to develop as the legal proceedings unfold.
Media News Source
