Ex-Boyfriend Arrested in Connection to Woman Found Dead in Suitcase

Valerie Reyes, 24, of Rochelle, N.Y., was found dead in Greenwich, Conn., on Feb. 5, 2019, police officials confirmed on Feb. 7, 2019. Valerie Reyes/Facebook

A former boyfriend of Valerie Reyes, the New York woman found dead inside of a suitcase discovered off the side of a road in Connecticut, was arrested in connection to her death.

Javier de Silva was arrested on Feb. 12, a week after the suitcase was found in Greenwich.

Law enforcement sources told the Greenwich Time that de Silva is an ex-boyfriend of Reyes.

Greenwich police Capt. Robert Berry said in a statement that detectives arrested a suspect in New York who had illegally used Reyes’ ATM card.

“The arrested individual is also believed to be involved in the death of Valerie. Additional information on the suspect and charges will be released by the New Rochelle Police Department,” he said late Tuesday morning.

Greenwich officials said that authorities examined multiple crime scenes, conducted numerous interviews, analyzed social media posts, and watched hundreds of hours of surveillance footage in the investigation.

The New Rochelle Police Department confirmed the arrest, reported WABC. Law enforcement sources told the outlet that DeSilva, who was arrested in the borough of Queens on Monday night, made admissions in the death, including telling officers that it occurred in New Rochelle.

According to Reyes’ mother, her daughter became paranoid and spoke to her about her fears on Jan. 28, the night before she vanished.