Advertisement 1

Belize double slay suspect out on bail

Article content

The Canadian man described by cops as a person of interest in the grisly double slaying of Francesca Matus and her American boyfriend in Belize was released on bail Friday.

John Deshaies, 54, who lived on the lower level of Matus’ seaside villa, was taken into custody after the 52-year-old Keswick woman and her beau — Drew Thomas DeVoursney, 36 — were found strangled to death and dumped in a sugarcane field almost three weeks ago.

Deshaies, who was granted bail after more than a week in jail, has denied any involvement in the double murder and the “bogus” theft.

His bail conditions include surrendering his Canadian passport, checking in with cops once a week and staying in Belize.

“There was no objection to him applying for bail on a matter of a theft which let me say this for the record; he was merely on behalf of the owner of those things, keeping a watchful eye to see that they were secured,” his lawyer, Richard Bradley said. “(The theft) will be cleared up and nothing will come out of that matter.”

Bradley said the FBI has interviewed his client — a Barrie native — extensively and he cooperated, even providing a blood sample.

But the contractor’s lawyer believe Deshaies’ rights may have been violated.

He was moved from jail to jail — apparently with the necessary permission. His young wife was not allowed to bring him a change of clothes or toothpaste, Bradley added.

Meanwhile, cops appear stalled in the murder probe saying they’ve discounted robbery as a motive.

Sources have told the Toronto Sun the Central American nation is notoriously corrupt and that dodgy land dealings are not unheard of.

One source believes a business transaction gone awry is likely behind the murders, but who the prime target was remains a mystery.

bhunter@postmedia.com

Article content
Advertisement 2
Advertisement
Article content
Article content
Latest National Stories
    News Near Pembroke
      This Week in Flyers