Bernardo Pantaleon's murder suspects mocked victim's sexuality, posted pics of his mutilated body online
PHEONIX, ARIZONA: The Phoenix community is reeling after the brutal murder of 30-year-old Bernardo Pantaleon, whose mutilated body was found in a local park last month.
Three gang members have been arrested in connection with Pantaleon's horrific death, which family members believe was a premeditated hate crime targeting the victim for his sexuality, according to AZFamily.
Three gang members have been arrested in connection with Bernardo Pantaleon's death
The suspects were identified as 20-year-old Jose Rodriguez and 21-year-olds Leonardo Santiago and Manuel Carrasco-Calderon.
Pantaleon's body was discovered on November 26 on a trail in Mountain View Park with significant trauma, including multiple gunshot wounds.
According to court documents, suspect Leonardo Santiago admitted to shooting Pantaleon multiple times after the victim allegedly made an "unwanted advance" that made Santiago "uncomfortable."
After initially leaving the scene, Santiago allegedly returned about an hour later with Carrasco-Calderon. According to police statements, when Santiago and Carrasco-Calderon returned, the two suspects horrifically mutilated Pantaleon's lifeless body in a brutal display of cruelty.
Bernardo Pantaleon's family members received photos of his mutilated corpse online
In the days following the murder, the cruelty continued on social media. Family members of Pantaleon reportedly received graphic photos posted on Instagram, including one image flipping off the camera alongside Pantaleon's mutilated corpse.
Police were able to connect the social media account to messages between the suspects, indicating that they had planned to rob and kill Pantaleon. After the murder, some gang members made derogatory statements about Pantaleon's sexuality, claiming that homosexuality would not be tolerated in their territory.
Police made arrests after examining digital evidence and conducting interviews
After examining digital evidence and conducting interviews, police arrested Rodriguez, Santiago and Carrasco-Calderon. All three men have reportedly confessed some role in the death.
Santiago faces charges of first-degree murder and crimes against the dead. Carrasco-Calderon was also charged in connection with mutilation of human remains. Rodriguez was arrested on suspicion of first-degree premeditated murder alongside the other two men.
The victim's family started a GoFundMe, raising money to cover funeral costs in the wake of their sudden loss. Community leaders have also spoken up to denounce violence and called for justice to be served through the legal system. The case remains under investigation by Phoenix police as more details continue to emerge.
