The Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) released a detailed statement following a civil wrongful death verdict involving Alexander Bello-Ortiz, addressing concerns raised about the investigation and providing clarification on the case’s findings.
The death of Bello-Ortiz, ruled a suicide by the Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office, has come under scrutiny due to claims made during the civil trial. DBPD emphasized that the ruling was solely made by the Medical Examiner, whose office remains independent in determining the manner of death.
According to DBPD, two independent investigations were conducted into the incident. Both investigations involved interviews with Bello-Ortiz’s two roommates, who were present at the time of the incident. Formal written statements were collected, and the investigations were reviewed by the State Attorney’s Office and the Medical Examiner. All parties involved agreed on the ruling of suicide.
DBPD also addressed claims in the civil complaint that the roommate contacted his father before calling 911. Phone records confirmed that the 911 call was made first, directly contradicting this allegation.
However, DBPD acknowledged a procedural error in the investigation—the crime scene was not preserved as promptly as it should have been. The department admitted this was a shortcoming but stressed that it did not impact the findings or the Medical Examiner’s determination regarding the manner of death.
The department confirmed there are no plans to reopen the case but assured the public of its full cooperation with any state or federal agency that may decide to review the matter further.
In closing, DBPD reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that it continues to learn from past experiences and improve its investigative processes to better serve the Daytona Beach community.
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