Puerto Rican Boxing Olympian Charged With Murdering Girlfriend, Unborn Child

Lightweight boxing contender Felix Verdejo, who represented Puerto Rico in the 2012 Olympic Games, has been charged with killing his girlfriend and unborn child, after the woman’s body was found floating in a lagoon on the island over the weekend. Relatives said 27-year-old Keishla Marlen Rodriguez went missing after going to meet with Verdejo to show him a positive pregnancy test. “I told her, ‘Be careful’ because he had threatened her not to have the baby, that he had his family, that he is a boxer, that he is a public figure,” the woman’s mother told El Nuevo Día. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Verdejo was charged late Sunday with kidnapping and carjacking resulting in death and with intentionally killing an unborn child, hours after he surrendered to authorities. Police were reportedly working to obtain cellphone records belonging to both Verdejo and Rodriguez. The boxing pro, who is married, has a record of 27-2, and lost his most recent fight by knockout in December. His promoter Top Rank released a statement, saying they are “deeply disturbed” by the allegations against Verdejo, and sending “thoughts and prayers” to the family of Rodriguez.