Camilo Salazar was born in April 1968, the younger of two children to Eduardo and María Inés Salazar. Growing up in Colombia, Camilo shared a tight bond with his sister, Carolina, in a family known for its warmth and unity. Seeking new opportunities, the Salazars moved to the United States, settling in sunny Florida, where Eduardo built a flourishing career as a real estate investor.
Camilo embraced the American dream wholeheartedly. His dedication to learning led him to earn a university degree, and soon after, he launched his own interior design company. Known for his kindness and relentless work ethic, Camilo Salazar also had a love for sports and the ocean. A standout achievement from his youth was becoming a world champion in Ultimate Frisbee, a sport that not only brought him accolades but also lifelong friendships and global travel experiences.
When Camilo Salazar decided to start a family, he married Daisy Holcombe, an event planner. The couple built a loving home in a modest neighborhood of Miami, welcoming their daughters, Ava and Skyler (born in 2011). The family became an integral part of their community, actively volunteering at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and participating in local events. Camilo Salazar was widely admired as a devoted husband, exemplary father, and trusted friend.
A Devastating Day in 2011
The Salazar family’s idyllic life took a shocking turn on June 1, 2011. That morning, Camilo Salazar followed his usual routine: preparing Ava for school and dropping baby Skyler at Daisy’s office. He kissed Daisy goodbye, promising to return shortly—but he never did.
As hours passed, Daisy’s concern grew. Friends and family began searching for Camilo Salazar, eventually finding his truck abandoned near his office. The driver’s window was rolled down, but there was no sign of Camilo. Desperate, Daisy contacted the Miami-Dade police.
Later that day, firefighters responding to a blaze near the Everglades discovered a horrifying scene—a human body. The victim, identified as Camilo, had bound wrists, severe injuries, and burn marks. His death left loved ones reeling, and the community struggled to make sense of the senseless violence.
Secrets Unearthed
As detectives dug deeper, a startling discovery came to light: Camilo Salazar had been involved in an extramarital affair with Jenny Patricia Marin, the wife of prominent businessman Manuel Marin. The revelation painted a grim picture of jealousy and betrayal.
Manuel and Jenny Marin lived a life of luxury, from a beachfront penthouse to a grand estate in Lighthouse Point, with private staff and lavish amenities. Despite appearances, Jenny described her life as isolating and lonely. In 2008, feeling disconnected from her marriage, she reconnected with Camilo through a simple email exchange.
Their initial conversations were friendly, but as time went on, Camilo Salazar became Jenny’s confidant. He provided her with emotional support, and their bond grew stronger. According to some accounts, Camilo portrayed himself as divorced, further complicating their relationship.
A Crime of Passion
Authorities began piecing together a story of jealousy and revenge, suspecting Camilo’s death stemmed from a crime of passion. Manuel Marin, who had built an empire spanning several states, became the focal point of the investigation. What unfolded was a tangled web of secrets, lies, and heartbreak, forever altering the lives of those involved.
By 2010, the emotional bond between Jenny Marin and Camilo Salazar evolved into a full-blown affair. To keep their relationship hidden, Jenny purchased a disposable phone for secret communication. The couple met discreetly, often rendezvousing at a mall where Camilo would pick her up and drive to a hotel for private moments together. While their connection deepened, Jenny insisted she had no plans to divorce Manuel Marin, citing his role as a dedicated father.
In February 2011, the affair came to light in a dramatic encounter at a bakery in southern Miami-Dade. As Jenny and Camilo Salazar stood in line, Manuel appeared unexpectedly. Jenny described his expression as a mix of anger and a mocking smile. Manuel confronted Jenny, forcibly leading her to his car, where he confiscated her phone and keys.
During the drive, Manuel demanded details about Camilo Salazar, yelling and berating her. Seizing an opportunity, Jenny escaped by jumping out of the car and hailing a taxi. Once safe, she called Camilo using her secret phone. Camilo, meanwhile, shared that he had also encountered Manuel outside the bakery, describing the tension as unbearable.
After the confrontation, Manuel became increasingly controlling. He monitored Jenny’s calls and scrutinized her movements, leaving her feeling trapped. Fearful of further conflict, Jenny and Camilo stopped communicating for nearly a month. However, the damage had already been done—Manuel’s anger and desire for revenge had begun to take root.
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A Chilling Family Vacation
By May 2011, tensions in the Marin household were palpable. Despite this, Manuel organized a family yacht trip to the Bimini Islands in the Bahamas. Jenny later described the trip as deeply unsettling, particularly due to Manuel’s cryptic behavior. At one point, he warned her to “stop what you’re doing, or you’ll cause a disaster.” He refused to elaborate, leaving Jenny anxious and confused.
Unlike previous vacations, Manuel stayed glued to his phone, taking calls in private. The trip concluded on June 1, 2011, when the family returned to their home in Lighthouse Point. That same day, Camilo Salazar went missing, and hours later, his burned body was discovered.
Oblivious to the tragedy, Jenny repeatedly tried calling Camilo Salazar in the following days but received no response. Meanwhile, Manuel disappeared, taking his passport with him. Alarmed, Jenny sought help from an attorney. When the lawyer searched Camilo’s name online, they found devastating news: Camilo Salazar had been brutally murdered.
Jenny suspected Manuel’s involvement immediately, believing the family trip was a calculated move to establish an alibi. Adding to her suspicions was Manuel’s sudden departure to Europe shortly after the crime.
Shortly after fleeing, Manuel’s son—who held power of attorney—finalized his parents’ divorce. Jenny retained the family’s luxurious home and was awarded $10,000 per month in child support for their two children. Although Manuel called Jenny several times to apologize for abandoning his family, he never admitted any involvement in Camilo’s murder.
The Investigation Unfolds
While the case seemed to stall publicly, detectives worked discreetly. Their findings pointed to Manuel as the person with the strongest motive. Manuel was traced to Spain, where one of his children lived, and he frequently traveled to Cuba. In March 2018, Jenny even traveled to Cuba with her children to meet Manuel but claimed she never questioned him about Camilo’s death.
Investigators uncovered links between Manuel and at least three accomplices he allegedly recruited through his interest in combat sports. These men were:
- Alexis Vila-Perdomo: A martial arts expert and 1996 Olympic bronze medalist.
- Ariel Gandulla: A former mixed martial artist.
- Roberto Isaac: A fight promoter and alleged gang member.
Alexis Vila-Perdomo, one of Manuel’s alleged accomplices, had a history of trouble with the law. After defecting from Cuba in 1997, he built a career as a university coach and later transitioned into mixed martial arts, boasting 15 wins and 7 losses. However, his life took a dark turn in 2004 when he drove his car into a terminal at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, resulting in terrorism charges. Although Alexis claimed it was an accident, he served three years in prison before resuming his MMA career.
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A Fatal Plan Uncovered
While Alexis Vila Perdomo was in Las Vegas for a fight during Camilo’s abduction, investigators unearthed extensive communication between him, Manuel Marin, Ariel Gandulla, and Roberto Isaac. Authorities believed Alexis orchestrated the brutal attack, leading to his arrest alongside Roberto. However, Ariel fled to Vancouver, Canada, where he hid for over five years.
When Ariel eventually testified, he revealed chilling details: he was present during Camilo Salazar’s abduction but fled upon realizing the group’s violent intentions. His claims were backed by cellphone geolocation data, which became critical in tying the suspects to the crime.
A major breakthrough came on August 16, 2018, when Manuel Marin, the alleged mastermind, was captured in Madrid, Spain. His nervous behavior at the U.S. embassy while seeking a passport raised suspicions, leading Spanish police to detain him. Upon his arrest, the supermarket chain he founded released a statement distancing itself from him, emphasizing his lack of affiliation since 2011.
Manuel was extradited to the United States, where he awaited trial. Meanwhile, the legal process began for his co-conspirators, Alexis, Roberto, and Ariel, all facing charges of murder, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy.
Trials and Revelations
In 2018, Ariel struck a plea deal that required him to testify against his accomplices in exchange for leniency. His cooperation proved pivotal, shedding light on the intricate plan. He recounted how Alexis, sponsored by Manuel, recruited Roberto and Ariel to abduct, torture, and kill Camilo Salazar.
During the trials, a cellphone geolocation expert provided damning evidence. The data linked Manuel and Roberto’s phones to a location near Camilo’s final resting place. Ariel also testified that he saw Manuel at the crime scene, sitting in his blue Mercedes-Benz. Jenny, Manuel’s wife, corroborated aspects of Ariel’s account, sharing how Manuel left their home abruptly on the night of the crime, claiming urgent business.
Forensic experts detailed the horrifying nature of Camilo Salazar’s death. He suffered fractures to his jaw and skull, had his throat slit, and was set on fire while still alive. This testimony shocked the courtroom and painted a vivid picture of the cruelty involved.
By December 2019, Roberto Isaac was convicted of second-degree murder and kidnapping, receiving a life sentence. Alexis Vila Perdomo, found guilty of conspiracy, was sentenced to 15 years in prison, while Ariel Gandulla, due to his plea deal, served only 36 months and was released in April 2022.
Manuel’s long-awaited trial began in March 2023. Though prosecutors could not prove his direct involvement in Camilo Salazar’s assault, he was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter, kidnapping, and criminal conspiracy. On May 22, 2023, Manuel was sentenced to life imprisonment, with additional terms for the other charges.
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Heartbreaking Testimonies
Daisy, Camilo Salazar’s widow, delivered an emotional victim impact statement during Manuel’s sentencing, accusing him of robbing her daughters of their father. Her words echoed the devastation wrought by the crime. Beyond the criminal trial, Daisy pursued a civil lawsuit against Manuel’s family for the damages caused by his actions.
The civil lawsuit filed by Daisy against Manuel and his family remains unresolved, with its outcome still unknown. Similarly, the legal proceedings against Yadiel, Manuel’s son, who was accused of aiding his father’s escape, are shrouded in uncertainty. These lingering issues serve as reminders of the far-reaching impact of Manuel’s actions and the crime’s aftermath.
Manuel Marin now resides in the Metro West Detention Center, serving the life sentence handed down for his role in Camilo Salazar’s murder. Isolated from the outside world, his time in prison marks the final chapter of a once-prominent businessman’s dramatic fall from grace.
Jenny, Manuel’s wife, and their children have retreated from the public eye, seeking privacy after years of turmoil and public scrutiny. The family, once thrust into the center of a highly publicized case, now lives in quiet anonymity, carrying the weight of the past.
