BODY LEFT IN CANAL NEAR KINGS POINT. STABBED MULTIPLE TIMES. DECOMPOSING.
BY: 24/7 CRIME DESK | BocaNewsNow.com
DELRAY BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2023 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — New information obtained by BocaNewsNow.com reveals that the woman found decomposing — in a black blanket — in a canal near 5558 West Atlantic Avenue spent the final night of her life in 635 Burgandy N in the Kings Point senior living community in Delray Beach. The woman, whose name is being withheld by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, was found floating in the canal on June 25th. She had multiple stab wounds. The following is part of the official — and redacted — narrative revealing how police identified the victim, located the body, and made a connection to Kings Point.
“On June 27th, 2023 Detectives received a tip from a media release, where the clothing and general physical description of the decedent were given. Detectives met with (redacted) at her home in the Kings Point community and spoke about her missing friend who she stated she has not seen since June 21st, 2023. (Redacted) remembers she last saw (the victim) in a similar outfit described in the media release, which was a cheetah print top, black pants, and yellow fingernails. During her recorded statement, (redacted) explained she and (redacted) had gotten into an argument and had been sharing a residence with acquaintances who live down the street in the Kings Point community at, 635 Burgundy N, for the last few days. In the days prior to contacting law enforcement, acquaintance Jennifer Pumariega had stopped by the house to drop off (the victim’s) purse and could not explain why she had the purse or where (the victim) had gone. Latter Jennifer Pumariega’s boyfriend Christopher Soto (aka Justin) called and gave her a confusing story about what happened to (the victim). (Redacted) knows the victim would never leave her property in the care of others; she always carried her purse and a grey backpack full of her personal effects with her. When confronted Christopher Soto with this information, he could not explain how he came to possess property, or what happened to her. At the end of interview, she provided Detectives with personal property that was used to recover the decedent located (in the canal).
On the same day, shortly after interviewing (redacted) Detectives went to 635 Burgundy N, in the Kings Point community, and met with the residents Jocelyn Lowell and Jennifer Pumariega. In a sworn recorded statement, Jocelyn Lowell stated that (the victim) showed up on June 21st, 2023 at approximately 06:00 PM stating she had nowhere to go, and asked to stay for a few nights. Jocelyn Lowell did not know but recognized her as a resident/neighbor in the Kings Point community. Jocelyn Lowell did not want to see (victim) sleeping in the streets so Jocelyn Lowell allowed her to stay. On June 23rd, 2023 Jocelyn Lowell told she could not stay in the home while everyone was at work told Jocelyn Lowell she would go to her mother’s to take care of her dog while the residents were gone. The last time Jocelyn Lowell saw was that morning at approximately 08:00 AM.
(The victim) was last seen wearing an animal print shirt, black pants, and she had light yellow colored fingernails. At about 10:00 PM, June 27, 2023, Detectives initiated an interview with Jennifer Pumariega at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District IV Substation. Initially, at about 09:00 PM, June 27, 2023, Detectives met with Jennifer Pumariega at her residence, 635 Burgundy N, Delay Beach, Florida 33484. This address was located in the King’s Point development of Delay Beach, Florida. While at the residence, Jennifer Pumariega agreed to voluntarily accompany Detectives to District IV Substation and provide a statement.
The interview was audio and video recorded. After being sworn in by Detectives, Jennifer Pumariega provided the following information to Detectives. On or about Friday, June 23, 2023, she (Pumariega) was driven to work by her live-in boyfriend, Christopher Soto, born September 29, 2000. Jennifer Pumariega was dropped off in her Ford Escape. Before leaving for work that morning, Jennifer Pumariega observed (victim) asleep on the couch and Christopher Soto was asleep on a recliner. According to her schedule and time clock, Jennifer Pumariega arrived at work at about 06:05 AM, on June 23, 2023. Jennifer Pumariega’s work address was identified as Starbucks, 4920 West Atlantic Avenue, Delay Beach, Florida 33445. During the interview, Jennifer Pumariega was able to provide Detectives with a copy of her work schedule that was archived in her Apple iPhone. That day, Jennifer Pumariega worked from 06:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Before coming to work, Jennifer Pumariega made arrangements for Christopher Soto to pick her up at 12:00 PM. After work, Jennifer Pumariega remained at the business until about 12:30 PM. According to Jennifer Pumariega, she was essentially socializing and conversing with coworkers. At this point in the interview, Jennifer Pumariega showed Detectives a text message on her mobile device from Christopher Soto. The text message was timestamped 12:27 PM, June 23, 2023. Essentially, Christopher Soto was apologizing for being late.
In the message, Christopher Soto articulated how he had to pull over and help a stranded motorist. Also, Christopher Soto articulated, “THE LADY HAD LEFT THE HOUSE”, referring to (victim). For the next hour, Jennifer Pumariega told Detectives, she (Pumariega) incessantly called and sent messages to Christopher Soto whereupon she received no response. In the interview, Jennifer Pumariega presented Detectives with those messages from the aforesaid Apple iPhone which clearly highlighted Jennifer Pumariega messaged Christopher Soto for over an hour and never received a response. Because Jennifer Pumariega became frustrated, she (Pumariega) contacted Lyft whereupon Detectives were presented with data illustrating Lyft picked Jennifer Rumariega up at about 01:36 PM and she (Pumariega) arrived home at about 01:46 PM.
At one point while she was waiting on Christopher Soto to pick her up from work, Jennifer Pumariega advised she checked an application on her Apple iPhone that provides or details location data for her Ford Escape. It’s an application provided through Ford. Jennifer Pumariega wasn’t sure about the exact time the observations were made however, she (Pumariega) speculates between 12:30 PM to 01:30 PM, June 23, 2023. The application illustrated the Ford Escape was parked or resting at the dead ends of Sims Road. Where the application pinpointed the Ford Escape was resting, is only a short distance from where the homicide victim’s body was recovered. The homicide victim’s body was easily located within 100 feet from where the Ford Escape was observed. When she arrived home, Jennifer Pumariega observed Christopher Soto inside the aforesaid Ford Escape. As he was backing out, Jennifer Pumariega made contact with him at the vehicle. Jennifer Pumariega admonished Christopher Soto about not picking her up and after entering the Ford Escape, Jennifer Pumariega observed a large garbage bag resting in the front area of the vehicle. There was a foul odor resonating from the bag which appeared to contain possibly towels, socks, and a shirt. At this point, Jennifer Pumariega immediately requested for Christopher Soto to remove the bag from the vehicle whereupon Jennifer Pumariega walked into the house. After entering the house, and walking into the kitchen, Jennifer Pumariega noticed the floor was extremely wet and there was a strong odor of bleach resonating throughout the residence. Jennifer Pumariega immediately questioned Christopher Soto and learned he (Soto) had cleaned the residence with bleach. This was extremely unconventional and uncharacteristic of Christopher Soto because he (Soto) never cleans the house. Furthermore, Jennlfer Pumariega advised her and her grandmother never clean the residence with bleach. They typically use Fabuloso or some other, cleaning agents. Once Jennifer Pumariega left the kitchen, she (Pumariega) walked into the bathroom and observed a shirt resting on the shower floor blemished with what appeared to be a blood-like substance. Immediately, Christopher Soto was questioned about the shirt whereupon Christopher Soto articulated it belonged to the aforementioned individual he (Soto) assisted earlier that afternoon. Christopher Soto promised Jennifer Pumariega he (Soto) would get rid of the shirt.”
Christopher Soto was later arrested and charged with First Degree Murder and related crimes. He remains held without bins in the Palm Beach County Jail.
