WILLEMSTAD – Nearly seven weeks after the body of 60-year-old Colombian national Julio Ricardo Garces was discovered in the waters near Playa Santa Cruz, Curaçao police are continuing their investigation into his murder. Authorities are maintaining a reward of XCG 10,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person or persons responsible.
Garces was found dead on Friday, September 25, 2026, just one day after celebrating his 60th birthday. Despite the discovery of important evidence at the scene, no arrests have been reported in connection with the killing.
Police are once again appealing to the public for assistance in identifying those involved.
Body Discovered Floating in the Sea
At approximately 3:25 a.m. on September 25, police received a report of a lifeless body floating in the waters near Playa Santa Cruz, on Curaçao's northwestern coast.
Officers from the Barber police station responded to the location and discovered the victim in the water.
With assistance from the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, officers recovered the body and brought it ashore.
Investigators subsequently determined that Garces had suffered a gunshot wound to the head, prompting a homicide investigation.
Bloodstained Vehicle Found on Beach
During their examination of the area, investigators discovered a gray Hyundai Elantra parked on the beach.
Bloodstains were found on the vehicle's passenger seat, raising suspicions that Garces may have been shot while inside the car.
Additional blood evidence suggested that the victim's body may subsequently have been removed from the vehicle and thrown into the sea.
Investigators also noticed an unusual detail: the vehicle's key had been left on top of the trunk.
Police are examining whether the trunk had been opened and whether that detail could provide additional information about the circumstances surrounding the killing.
The Hyundai Elantra was confiscated for further forensic examination.
Although the evidence has provided investigators with possible indications of how the crime occurred, police have not publicly established the full sequence of events or identified a suspect.
Investigation Continues Without Arrests
Almost seven weeks after the discovery, the investigation remains open, and detectives are continuing their efforts to determine who killed Garces and why.
Police are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who witnessed suspicious activity near Playa Santa Cruz or in the surrounding area during the early morning hours of September 25.
Investigators are also seeking information about individuals who may have been involved in the murder or who may know what happened before the victim's body was discovered.
The police have not disclosed a possible motive for the killing.
XCG 10,000 Reward Remains Available
To encourage witnesses and others with relevant information to come forward, authorities are maintaining the XCG 10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect or suspects.
Anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity, recognized the vehicle, or possesses information about the circumstances surrounding Garces' death is urged to contact the police.
Information can be provided by calling 917. Individuals who wish to remain anonymous can contact the anonymous police tip line at 108.
Police hope that additional information from the public will help investigators identify those responsible and bring the nearly seven-week-old murder investigation closer to a resolution.