SYRACUSE, NY – A young woman celebrating her 21st birthday was tragically suffocated and killed in Syracuse, officials report. The suspect, Jhon Moises Chacaguasay-Ilbis, also 21, has been charged with second-degree murder and concealment of a human corpse in connection with the death of Joselyn Jhoana Toaquiza on June 18.
Authorities revealed that both Chacaguasay-Ilbis and Toaquiza were in the United States illegally, having come from Ecuador. According to prosecutors, Chacaguasay-Ilbis had rented an Airbnb in Syracuse and traveled there specifically to see Toaquiza on her birthday.
Surveillance footage from the Airbnb shows Chacaguasay-Ilbis and Toaquiza entering the property around 4:30 p.m. on the day of the incident. Hours later, Chacaguasay-Ilbis was seen carrying an unconscious Toaquiza on his back. Prosecutor Alphonse Williams noted that the two had known each other since primary school in Ecuador.
A source disclosed that Toaquiza had fled Ecuador to escape an abusive relationship, though the identity of her former partner remains unknown. Following the murder, Chacaguasay-Ilbis allegedly buried Toaquiza in a shallow grave before fleeing to New York City on a Greyhound bus. He later surrendered to authorities.
Chacaguasay-Ilbis is currently being held at the Onondaga County Justice Center as the investigation continues. The Syracuse Police Department has confirmed the ongoing nature of the case.