Who was Felix Verdejo-Sanchezs Girlfriend? Meet Keishla Rodriguez Ortiz

The tragic story of Keishla Rodriguez Ortiz, the pregnant girlfriend of former Olympic boxer Felix Verdejo-Sanchez, has shocked and saddened many people around the world. Rodriguez Ortiz, who was 27 years old, was brutally murdered by Verdejo-Sanchez in April 2021, after he allegedly pressured her to get an abortion. In November 2023, Verdejo-Sanchez was sentenced to life in prison for the kidnapping and killing of Rodriguez Ortiz and their unborn child. Here is what we know about the life and death of Keishla Rodriguez Ortiz, and how her family and friends are coping with the loss.

Who was Keishla Rodriguez Ortiz?

Keishla Rodriguez Ortiz was born on June 6, 1993, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She was the daughter of Keila Ortiz Rivera and Jose Antonio Rodriguez, and had two brothers, Bereliz Nicole, and Jose Antonio Jr. She graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a degree in accounting and worked as an administrative assistant at a pet grooming company. She loved animals, especially dogs, and had a pet Chihuahua named Mia. She also enjoyed music, dancing, and spending time with her family and friends.

Rodriguez Ortiz had known Verdejo-Sanchez since they were teenagers and had a romantic relationship with him for several years. According to her family, she was in love with him and hoped that he would leave his wife and daughter for her. She became pregnant with his child in early 2021 and told him the news on April 27, 2021. She also posted a photo of her positive pregnancy test on Facebook, with the caption “Just the beginning of a new stage in my life.”

How did Keishla Rodriguez Ortiz die?

On April 29, 2021, Keishla Rodriguez Ortiz went missing after she left her home in San Juan to meet Felix Verdejo-Sanchez at a gas station. According to the federal indictment, Verdejo-Sanchez lured her into his car, where he punched her in the face and injected her with a syringe filled with an unknown substance. He then drove her to a bridge over the San Jose Lagoon, where he tied her hands and feet with wire to a heavy block. He then threw her into the water, and shot at her body with a pistol. He was assisted by his friend, Luis Antonio Cadiz-Martinez, who pleaded guilty to his role in the crime and testified against Verdejo-Sanchez at his trial.

Rodriguez Ortiz’s body was found floating in the lagoon on May 1, 2021, after Cadiz-Martinez anonymously called 911 and gave the location. Her identity was confirmed by dental records. An autopsy revealed that she had fentanyl and xylazine, a sedative used for animals, in her system. She was also four months pregnant with a boy, who was named Andres by her family.

What happened to Felix Verdejo-Sanchez?

Felix was arrested on May 2, 2021, and charged with kidnapping resulting in death, carjacking resulting in death, intentionally killing an unborn child, and using a firearm during a violent crime. He pleaded not guilty, and faced the death penalty if convicted. However, the U.S. Department of Justice decided not to seek capital punishment, after consulting with Rodriguez Ortiz’s family, who opposed it on religious grounds.

Felix Verdejo-Sanchez’s trial began on July 26, 2023, and lasted for three days. The prosecution presented evidence from surveillance cameras, cell phone records, GPS data, and witnesses, including Cadiz-Martinez, who described in detail how Verdejo-Sanchez planned and executed the murder. The defense did not call any witnesses and argued that the evidence was circumstantial and unreliable. Verdejo-Sanchez did not testify in his own defense.

On July 28, 2023, the jury found Verdejo-Sanchez guilty of all four charges, after deliberating for less than two hours. On November 3, 2023, he was sentenced to two consecutive terms of life in prison, without the possibility of parole. He was also ordered to pay $20,000 in restitution to Rodriguez Ortiz’s family. His lawyer said he plans to appeal the sentence.

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How are Keishla Rodriguez Ortiz’s family and friends coping?

Keishla Rodriguez Ortiz’s family and friends have expressed their grief and anger over her death, and their relief and satisfaction over Verdejo-Sanchez’s conviction and sentence. They have also honored her memory and legacy, by holding vigils, marches, and memorial services, and by creating a foundation in her name to help victims of domestic violence and animal abuse.

Rodriguez Ortiz’s mother, Keila Ortiz Rivera, said that she misses her daughter every day and that she hopes that her case will serve as a warning and an example for other women who are in abusive relationships. She said that she forgives Verdejo-Sanchez, but that he deserves to spend the rest of his life in prison. She also thanked the authorities, the media, and the public for their support and solidarity.

Her father, Jose Antonio Rodriguez, said that he is proud of his daughter and that he hopes that her son, Andres, is in heaven with her. He said that he was glad that justice was done, and that he hoped that Verdejo-Sanchez would repent and ask God for forgiveness. He also said that he is grateful for the love and compassion that he has received from his family and friends.

Keishla’s brother, Jose Antonio Rodriguez Jr., said that he is heartbroken and devastated by his sister’s death and that he will always remember her as a happy and caring person. He said that he is happy that Verdejo-Sanchez was found guilty, and that he hopes that he will suffer in prison. He also said that he is thankful for the prayers and messages that he has received from people around the world.

Rodriguez Ortiz’s best friend, Janeliz Torres, said that she is angry and sad that her friend was taken away from her, and that she will never forget her smile and her kindness. She said that she is satisfied that Felix Verdejo-Sanchez was sentenced to life, and that he will never hurt anyone again. She also said that she is appreciative of the friendship and solidarity that she has shared with Rodriguez Ortiz’s family and other friends.

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