ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The dismembered remains of a 71-year-old man who was reported missing on Wednesday were found in suitcases that the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said were left along a road by his stepson, who is now charged with his murder.
Deputies said in a release to News4JAX sister station WKMG in Orlando that Jorge Vazquez-Escutia, 71, had last been seen shortly after midnight on Tuesday, and that there were concerns for his well-being because he suffers from memory loss.
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But later Wednesday, detectives announced that Vazquez-Escutia had been murdered.
His stepson, 44-year-old Jose L. Proano, is now facing a charge of first-degree murder.
“In the course of their investigation, deputies uncovered evidence that Proano, 44, killed and dismembered Mr. Vazquez-Escutia and attempted to conceal that murder by disposing of his body,” the release reads. “There are no outstanding suspects, and there is no threat to the community.”
In an affidavit, investigators said that Proano had detailed a “negative relationship” with Vazquez-Escutia, even saying that his stepfather had restricted his ability to see his own mother.
“He has had ongoing problems with Jorge Vazquez-Escutia and thoughts that Jorge Vazquez-Escutia abandoned his mother, leaving her alone in the residence even though she had dementia, and preventing him from accessing his mother,” the affidavit states. “He placed numerous calls for service to check on his family members, nearing the level of obsession.”
Detectives said Proano had traveled from his home in Northport up to Orlando on July 31 out of apparent concern for his mother and daughter.
The affidavit also shows that Proano had stalked Vazquez-Escutia, dismembered his body, stuffed the remains in three separate suitcases, and left the suitcases along the nearby White Road.
Detectives said as part of their missing persons investigation, surveillance video showed a man entering the property and then leaving with large suitcases.
Investigators also said cellphone records placed Proano’s phone in the same area at the same time
“Friends of Jose Proano reached out to family and detailed that Jose Proano admitted to killing his father/taking care of his father, beating up his father, with the reasoning behind [REDACTED],” the affidavit continues. “A second witness detailed he was called by Jose Proano requesting help in regard to this incident.”
Neighbors described Vazquez-Escutia as helpful and kind.
“It’s very disturbing,” said Merle Billings, who lives across the street. “He was a good man… Anything I need to be done in the yard or anything with my equipment… he helped me.”