facebook post, above, from Valerie Reyes’ father
Police Detectives in New Rochelle and Greenwich, CT say a suspect in the murder of Valerie Reyes, an ex-boyfriend of the victim, was taken into custody at his residence in Flushing, Queens Monday.
Javier DaSilva faces federal charges in the death of Reyes, 24, who went missing from her New Rochelle home before her body, bound at the wrists and ankles, was found in Greenwich.
DaSilva was brought to New Rochelle Police Headquarters, and because of the interstate jurisdiction of the case, was handed over to custody of the FBI.
Police say the suspect fraudulently used Reyes’ ATM card in New York, and he is also believed to be involved in the 24-year-old’s death.
He is expected to be arraigned in Federal Court Tuesday.
According to LoHud, Valerie Reyes, who aspired to be a tattoo artist, and was known for her artistic talents, had drawn a portrait of an “unidentified man,” which was found in her apartment. It was an important clue for police.
The portrait she drew “appears to be identical to the profile picture for the social media account” of Javier DaSilva, prosecutors said in a complaint filed Tuesday.
Services for Reyes are scheduled Tuesday at Lloyd Maxcy & Sons Beauchamp Chapel at 16 Shea Place in New Rochelle.
A funeral Mass is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Gabriel’s Church at 120 Division St. in New Rochelle. She will then be buried at Greenwood Union Cemetery at 215 North St. in Rye.
earlier this week:
The grieving father of Valerie Reyes posted photos of his daughter and a message on Facebook over the weekend, writing, “At this unimaginably difficult time, we are asking for love, support and respect to out family for the loss of my beautiful daughter…”
Here’s what we know so far in the Valerie Reyes murder case:
24 year old Valerie Reyes’ body was found in a suitcase near the side of a Greenwich, Connecticut road after being reported missing since Jan. 29.
Reyes lived in a basement apartment in New Rochelle, was a New Rochelle High School graduate and worked at the Barnes and Noble store in Eastchester.
A vigil was held in her memory Saturday at Glen Island Park.
Days before her body was found, Reyes called her mother terrified someone would kill her. “She was just really scared, very frightened,” her mother, Norma Sanchez, told WABC.
A town DPW worker was placed on administrative leave after it was discovered the employee took photos of the murder victim at the crime scene.
A GoFundMe page has been set up with the hopes of raising $20,000 to support the family and help with funeral expenses. As of Sunday night, the amount had been exceeded. Jim Killoran of the Fuller Center for Housing, has set up collection boxes around New Rochelle for Reyes’ funeral expenses.