Correctional officer who allegedly killed partner in front of daughters turns himself in

Edwin Noel López Reyes turned himself in Tuesday.

By The Star Staff

Correctional officer Edwin Noel López Reyes, 48, who is accused of murdering his partner Jessica Enid Torres Santiago on Sunday in Ponce, turned himself in on Tuesday at the commonwealth police headquarters in Coamo.

López Reyes was subject to an arrest warrant with a bail of $2 million for the crimes of femicide, shooting or pointing a firearm and child abuse, issued by Judge Carlos Candelario Cáliz.

The events occurred on Sunday at 8:45 p.m. on the PR-1 highway in Ponce, near the exit of Expressway 52, when he allegedly killed the 43-year-old woman in the presence of their two daughters, ages 18 and 19.

According to press reports, after the incident, López Reyes took his daughters to a relative’s residence and fled.

On Monday, the Criminal Investigation Corps of Ponce began talks with family members and friends to get López Reyes to turn himself in to the authorities.

Correction and Rehabilitation Secretary Ana Escobar Pabón commented on the incident Tuesday.

“I would like to begin by offering my condolences to the victim’s family, as well as to our coworkers who are saddened by this situation,” she said when approached by the press.

“I am glad that he made the right decision to turn himself in, to face justice and the administrative process that will now take place, which will obviously culminate in his removal from his post,” she added.