Man Charged With Murder After Body Found In Norristown Trash Can

NORRISTOWN, PA — Authorities have arrested and charged someone in connection with the death of a homeless man whose body was found inside a trash can in Norristown on Monday.

Felix Santos-Colon Jr., 46, who lives unhoused in Norristown, was arrested on Saturday and charged with first-degree murder in the death of 44-year-old Oscar Traviezo-Tercero, the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office said in a statement.

"This investigation was not an easy one, with the victim and defendant both unhoused,” said District Attorney Kevin Steele. “But as happens again and again in Montgomery County, our detectives and local police work the investigation until it is solved, no matter the difficulty or resources necessary."

According to prosecutors, Traviezo-Tercero’s body was found in a trash can just off the Schuylkill River Trail by Norristown Police around 7 p.m. on Monday. Prosecutors said a concerned citizen called 911 after he saw a trash can lying in the brush and noticed a foul odor coming from it. Upon opening the trash can, prosecutors said the person found what he thought was a human leg.

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During an autopsy conducted on Tuesday, the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office discovered that Traviezo-Tercero had numerous skull fractures. As a result, his cause of death was determined to be blunt force trauma to the head, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Investigators later determined that Traviezo-Tercero and Santos-Colon were living unhoused and sleeping in the car wash at Global Gas on Main Street in Norristown, prosecutors said.

Norristown Police had previous contact with the victim on Nov. 2, when prosecutors said he called 911 to report that he was trying to protect a young female. According to prosecutors, the woman was Santos-Colon's girlfriend, but she left the scene before police arrived.

Investigators said Traviezo-Tercero was last seen alive on Nov. 4. According to prosecutors, surveillance video from Nov. 5 showed Santos-Colon leaving the Global Gas property pulling a full Horizon trash can, with bicycle parts and other items visibly sticking out of the top of the can. Prosecutors said bicycle parts were also discovered near the trash can when Traviezo-Tercero's body was found.

Surveillance video also showed another man riding a bike alongside Santos-Colon. As they came to an incline up the Schuylkill River Trail, prosecutors said the video showed the man got off his bike and assisted in pushing the can up the hill.

Santos-Colon remains in custody and was denied bail at his arraignment. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday.