Written by @kristenshylin_
Authorities have arrested a second suspect connected to the murder of a Connecticut teenager, PEOPLE reports. Police confirmed that the suspect is a 14-year-old boy who was “complicit” in the killing.
The young teen, whose identity remains anonymous due to his age, reportedly turned himself in to police custody Monday night. He was then charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder.
Although there are no further details of the suspect’s involvement in the murder, a statement from the Bridgeport Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Scott Appleby said the boy “made admission to detectives regarding his role in Jose Nunez’ death.”
Diante Willoughby, 19, was the first suspect linked to the slaying.
Jose Nunez, 14, was allegedly lured to his death through Snapchat. During the early morning hours of July 28, Nunez left his Bridgeport home to meet someone he was communicating with on social media.
According to Fox 23, the victim’s body was discovered the next day in the middle of the woods in Oxford, after his mother reported him missing at 8:55 a.m.
An autopsy revealed that Nunez died from strangulation, ruling his death a homicide.
Willoughby was taken into custody following a motor vehicle stop on Route 67 in Oxford last Wednesday.
During a press release, Capt. Brian Fitzgerald said Willoughby and Nunez “had known each other for several months.”
An updated statement said the ongoing investigation involves “potential sex crimes.”
On the other hand, Nunez’s family mourns the loss of their loved one.
“He’s gone, and we’re never going to see him again, we’re never going to talk to him again,” Wendy Rivera, the boy’s aunt, told CBS New York.
The victim’s stepfather Higinio Campos appeared in a press conference where he urged parents to protect their children against online predators.
“I want to make it clear to all parents: please take care of the kids with the phones,” Campos said. “This guy was tricking him the whole time … The older guys can easily manipulate children. Take care of your children, please.”
