Silver Spring Death on Quebec Terrace Investigated as Homicide

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 9, 2011	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Silver Spring Death
Investigated as Homicide

Updated Information

See the 2011 Montgomery County Homicide Map

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Homicide/Sex Section are investigating the death of a 33-year-old woman who was found deceased this morning by police in an apartment in the 1000 block of Quebec Terrace.

On February 8, 2011, at approximately 11:58 p.m., the Montgomery County Police Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a 911 call from a subject at payphone located at 8875 Piney Branch Road in Silver Spring. This address is the Piney Branch Service Center. The male caller, who did not identify himself, advised that he had killed his wife approximately two hours before making the call. He also stated that his wife was in their residence, which was nearby.

Third District officers arrived at the service center and identified Bernardo Paz Flores-Olvera, 32 years old, as the caller. He stated that he had killed his wife. Flores-Olvera also stated that he lived in the 1000 block of Quebec Terrace in an apartment with his wife and children. Other 3rd District officers responded to the Quebec Terrace address and made entry to the apartment to check the welfare of any occupants. Once inside, officers found an adult female on the floor of one of the bedrooms. She had obvious trauma to her body and was pronounced dead at the scene. She was later identified as Elizabeth Velez Vasquez, 33 years old, and the wife of Flores-Olvera. There were no other victims in the apartment.

The circumstances that led to this death are still under investigation. This release will be updated when a charging document is served on Flores-Olvera. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore will complete an autopsy in an effort to confirm the cause and manner of death. Anyone who can provide information related to this death is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240.773.5070

1000 Block of Quebec Terrace in Silver Spring

[Howard Hartman]

	DEPARTMENT OF POLICE MEDIA SERVICES DIVISION 2350 RESEARCH BOULEVARD ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND 20850-3294
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 9, 2011	FOR MORE INFORMATION:                         Media Services Division, 240-773-5030

Update        Update        Update      Update

Silver Spring Man Charged with Wife’s Death

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Homicide/Sex Section continue to investigate the murder of Elizabeth Velez Vasquez, 33 years old, who was found deceased this morning by police in her apartment in the 1000 block of Quebec Terrace.

Bernardo Paz Flores-Olvera, 32 years old, the victim’s husband, was charged today at 8:00 a.m. with first-degree murder in relation to Vasquez’s death. He is currently being held on a no-bond status. A bond review hearing will be held tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. at the Rockville District Court.

Yesterday at approximately 11:58 p.m., the Montgomery County Police Emergency Communications Center (ECC) received a 911 call from an unknown male using a payphone at the Piney Branch Service Center located at 8875 Piney Branch Road in Silver Spring. The caller was later identified as Flores-Olvera, who advised that he had killed his wife approximately two hours before making the call and had left her in their nearby residence.

Third District officers arrived at the service center and confirmed Bernardo Paz Flores-Olvera, as the caller. He stated that he had killed his wife. Flores-Olvera also stated that he lived in the 1000 block of Quebec Terrace in an apartment with his wife and three children. Other 3rd District officers responded to the Quebec Terrace address and made entry to the apartment to check the welfare of any occupants. Once inside, officers found an adult female on the floor of one of the bedrooms. She had obvious trauma to her body and was pronounced dead at the scene. She was later identified as Elizabeth Velez Vasquez, the wife of Flores-Olvera. There were no other victims in the apartment.

Through the course of the investigation it was learned that Flores-Olvera had stabbed his wife with a knife and another sharp instrument. Both of those items were recovered. Investigators also learned that two children, ages three months and two years old, were home at the time of the assault. It was determined that Flores-Olvera had later taken them to a family member’s home.

The circumstances that led to this death are still under investigation. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore confirmed the cause of death homicide and manner of death stabbing. Anyone who can provide information related to this death is asked to call the Major Crimes Division at 240.773.5070.

Bernardo Paz Flores-Olvera