Arrest Made In Connection With Body Found In Carmel Lake: Putnam County Sheriff

CARMEL, NY — A suspect has been arrested in the killing of a Connecticut man, whose body was discovered in a Putnam County reservoir.

Sheriff Brian Hess has announced the arrest of 28-year-old Santos Vasquez Ramirez, of Pawling, in connection with the homicide investigation that began on Dec. 7, involving the death of 66-year-old Aurelio Zhunio-Orbez, of Danbury.

---

See Also:

• Body Found In Reservoir In Carmel, NY ID’d As Missing Danbury Man
• Fundraiser Launched To Help Pay For Funeral Of Murdered Danbury Man

Police responded to Croton Falls Reservoir after a fisherman reported finding a body in the water.

Zhunio-Orbez's family had reported him missing to police in Danbury on Dec. 1, prompting search efforts in both Connecticut and New York.

According to Danbury police, Zhunio-Orbez was last seen on Dec. 1 at 11:30 a.m. at the Brewster train station. Police believe his vehicle was stolen by his killer.

On Sunday, at 6:50 p.m., members of the Putnam County Sheriff's Office arrested Vasquez Ramirez at his home in the Town of Pawling. The arrest followed a homicide investigation by the Putnam County Sheriff's Office Bureau of Criminal Investigations.

Investigators reviewed video surveillance, forensic evidence, and information shared by other law enforcement agencies, according to the Sheriff's Office. After canvassing surveillance systems and analyzing that evidence, investigators were able to identify and arrest their suspect.

Forensic evidence, including blood and DNA, was recovered and submitted for analysis, with testing ongoing, according to the department.

Following his arrest, during questioning with investigators, Vasquez Ramirez confessed to the killing, according to investigators. He has now been charged with second-degree murder and felony first-degree robbery.

Vasquez Ramirez was scheduled to be arraigned on Saturday in the Town of Southeast Court.

"Sheriff Hess would like to thank the Sheriff's Office investigators and deputies, the Westchester County Police Department, the Real Time Crime Center, the Putnam County District Attorney's Office, and assisting agencies including Danbury Police, MTA Police, DEP Police, and multiple surrounding law enforcement agencies for their critical assistance and cooperation throughout this investigation," the sheriff's office said in a statement. "Finally, Sheriff Hess and the entire Sheriff's Office extends its deepest condolences to the Orbez family during this incredibly difficult time. Mr. Orbez was a hardworking member of the community, and our thoughts remain with his loved ones as this case proceeds through the justice system."