A South Florida man whose wife vanished five months ago has been arrested in her murder, Miami-Dade police announced Saturday.
When Jesus Maqueira, 54, was confronted by police investigators about his inability to explain the evidence against him, he allegedly replied, “Look, I killed her, so take me to jail,” according to an arrest affidavit.
Police did exactly that: Maqueira was arrested Friday on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated stalking in the death of Raquel Maria Calderin, 42, the affidavit said. Saturday, he remained in jail without bond, records show.
Since Calderin disappeared in September, her “body has not been recovered and she is presumed deceased,” police said Saturday.
According to detectives, Calderin had filed for divorce to end her marriage of over 20 years with Maqueira.
Actor Jamie Foxx Joins Trayvon Martin's Parents at 'Peace Walk'
On Sept. 4, Maqueira went to Calderin’s workplace, and a verbal dispute ensued between them, police said. Maqueira then left Calderin’s workplace. Calderin left work about 9:30 p.m. that night. That was the last time anyone saw her.
What began as a missing-person investigation months ago turned into a homicide investigation, authorities say.
Robbers Shoot Miami Clerk, Pistol-Whip Miramar Employee
Maqueira’s cellphone records show his phone “was in the immediate area of the victim’s place of employment where she was last seen alive when her phone went dead,” an arrest affidavit said.
Friday, detectives interviewed Maqueira and confronted him with evidence, the affidavit said.
“The defendant gave numerous conflicting statements, which were all disproven through cellphone records and the statements of the defendant’s own children,” the affidavit said.
Aircraft-Crash Victims Pulled to Safety in Everglades
After Maqueira allegedly admitted killing his wife, he laughed at investigators but refused to provide details, the affidavit said. When investigators told him about his children’s statements about him, Maqueira called his children “liars,” the affidavit said.
Investigators also determined that Maqueira had at some point tried to “coach” his children about the case, the affidavit said.
Photo Credit: Miami-Dade police