Missing Miami-Dade Woman Murdered By Husband: Police

MIAMI, FL — A 36-year-old Miami-Dade man, whose wife had been missing since November, was charged with her murder after a witness led police to a submerged box in a canal that contained what are believed to the woman's remains. Jimmy Joseph Torres was charged Thursday with second-degree murder in connection with the death of his wife, Maribel. Police found the woman's remains in Broward County not far from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

"On April 23, 2018, Maribel Torres was reported missing by her father, and detectives from the MDPD Missing Persons Unit assumed the investigation," explained Detective Argemis Colome of the Miami-Dade Police Department. "During the investigation, a witness provided investigators with valuable information and led them to a location in Broward County, where human remains were discovered."

Colome said that the remains are believed to be those of the 33-year-old Maribel Torres but the official identification was to be determined by the Broward County Office of Medical Examiner and Trauma Services.

"On June 14, 2018, MDPD detectives located Jimmy Torres and charged him with the murder of his wife," Colome added.

In April, Miami-Dade police asked for the public's help in finding Maribel Torres, saying that she had been missing since Nov. 30 from the couple's residence in the 17300 Block of NW 62nd Court.

"She has not returned home and has not contacted any friends or family members," Miami-Dade police said back in April. "Her disappearance exhibits uncharacteristic behavior and is suspicious in nature. She may be in need of services."

According to court documents, the woman's father told police he believed Torres had murdered his daughter at the time he reported her missing.

"Mr. Torres told the victim's father she was pregnant from another man and ran," court documents explained. She had been last seen by family members around Thanksgiving.

Torres insisted to police that he had last seen his wife in December when she packed her belongings and left the couple's residence.

"Mr. Torres further stated that he would not talk to investigators without his attorney present," court documents said.

The breakthrough in the case came when a witness told police on Thursday that Torres admitted to killing his wife and then led police to her apparent remains.

"According to the witness, Mr. Torres stated that he was in a physical altercation with the victim when he struck the victim with a metal rod on the head," court documents said. "She collapsed to the ground, was unresponsive and bleeding profusely. He went on to describe that he dragged her out of the residence to the backyard and subsequently concealed the victim in a box."

Court documents said that Torres told the witness that he discarded his wife's remains in the canal. "Mr. Torres further advised the witness that he and the witness frequented the area where they would relax near the water's edge."

The area is not far from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and a mobile home park in Dania Beach. The witness led police to the canal where the remains were found in the box.

"Soon thereafter Mr. Torres was located by detectives from the robbery intervention detail who transported him to the MDPD Homicide Bureau to be interviewed," court documents said. "It should be noted upon arrival, Mr. Torres refused to talk to these investigators without his attorney."

To report a tip, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS (8477) or 866-471-8477, visit
crimestoppersmiami.com and select "Give a Tip" or text "CSMD" followed by the tip to 274637.

Photo of Maribel Torres courtesy Miami-Dade Police Department