Illegal Ecuadorian immigrant implicated in the murder of a compatriot

There is shock in the Ecuadorian community in the United States due to the tragic news of the discovery of the lifeless body of Joselyn Johana Toaquiza, a 21-year-old Ecuadorian girl. Joselyn had been reported missing on June 18, the day of her 21st birthday. After several days of searching, her body was found last Saturday in Lincoln Park, Syracuse, in the state of New York, according to the Prosecutor's Office. Onondaga County.

Joselyn Toaquiza emigrated from Ecuador in 2023 in search of better opportunities. On the day of her disappearance, she met with an old schoolmate, Jhon Chacaguasay, who had traveled from Maryland to visit her. Surveillance footage from a temporary rental apartment on Hawley Avenue shows Joselyn and Jhon entering the property around 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday.

Three hours later, the same cameras captured Jhon leaving the place with Joselyn on her back, apparently unconscious. Later, Jhon is seen leaving alone, dressed in different clothes, and boarding a minivan.

The owner of the apartment, Idania Fernandez Rodriguez, provided the video to the family and police. Joselyn's family shared the video on social media, which helped mobilize the community in the search for the missing young woman.

Joselyn's body was discovered in Lincoln Park, near the apartment, and authorities have called the case a homicide. Jhon Chacaguasay, the main suspect, surrendered to the authorities and claimed not to remember what happened, arguing that he was under the influence of alcohol.

Jhon Chacaguasay Ilbis, also Ecuadorian and 21 years old, was captured by the cameras of the Airbnb where he would have gone with Joselyn. In these, he is seen carrying the young woman's still body and then returning to the place and getting into a car.

Now, Jhon is being held in an Onondaga County prison on charges of second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse. On June 27, he was taken to Syracuse City Court, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges.

A document presented to the court argues that Jhon would have choked Joselyn with her hands "or with another unknown object" and then disposed of her body in a wooded area, thus preventing law enforcement from finding it.

Local media report that Jhon and Joselyn would have had a romantic relationship. With the help of an interpreter, Jhon stated that he did not remember anything of what happened on June 18 due to alcohol poisoning.

The suspect will remain detained and next week he will go to court again for a preliminary hearing, according to local media.