Local News in Brief : Colombian President’s Nephew Slain in Reseda
Anephew of Colombian President Belisario Betancur has been found dead in his Reseda apartment after apparently being beaten to death, Los Angeles police said Friday.
The body of the man, Jaime Alberto Buritica, 30, was found Thursday night by friends who became concerned when he didn’t return to work at his dry-cleaning business earlier in the day, police Lt. Bill Gaida said.
Gaida said Buritica might have been beaten to death after confronting a burglar in his apartment in the 7800 block of Reseda Boulevard. An autopsy will be conducted.
Gaida said the apartment showed signs of burglary and several items had been taken.
Investigators thought Buritica had been associated with the Colombian president after finding photographs in the apartment, including one showing the victim with Betancur at his presidential inauguration in August, 1982. They confirmed the connection through contact with his mother, who lives in Burbank and is a sister of Betancur’s wife.
Buritica and another man recently purchased J & R Cleaners, a dry-cleaning business at 19239 Saticoy St., Reseda, Gaida said. Gaida said Buritica was born in Colombia but had lived in the Los Angeles area since early childhood.
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