BELMOPAN, BELIZE – Oscar Garcia entered the High Court of Belmopan on February 13, 2026, carrying the weight of an eight-year pursuit for justice following the brutal murder of his teenage son. The proceedings mark a critical juncture in a case that has haunted the Central American nation since October 2018.
Bobby Garcia, a 19-year-old business student with aspirations of attending junior college, was found viciously murdered at the Cahal Pech archaeological site on October 6, 2018. The crime scene revealed particularly gruesome details: multiple stab wounds, a slashed throat, and ritualistic ‘X’ markings carved into the victim’s chest and facial areas.
The judicial process initially charged two minors—aged 15 and 16 at the time—with murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Both suspects were remanded to the Wagner’s Youth Facility during preliminary hearings. The case took a significant turn when one defendant accepted a plea arrangement, becoming a Crown witness and subsequently receiving acquittal.
The remaining accused, now tried as an adult after reaching maturity during the lengthy judicial process, faced sentencing hearings represented by defense attorney Bryan Neal. The prosecution team, led by Director of Public Prosecutions Cheryl-Lynn Vidal, presented final arguments before the court.
“No temporal passage can diminish the anguish of losing a child,” Oscar Garcia stated outside the courthouse. “While others may gradually forget, our family continually anticipates accountability for those responsible for this horrific act.”
Describing his son as “exceptionally energetic and optimistic,” the grieving father recalled Bobby’s ambitions and unfulfilled dreams. The case has drawn attention to both juvenile justice reform and security measures at Belize’s archaeological sites, which attract tourists and locals alike.
The sentencing decision is expected to set precedents for trying violent crimes involving minors who reach adulthood during judicial proceedings.