WhatsApp Messages Reveal Gruesome Details of Costa Rican Double Homicide
New evidence has emerged in the investigation surrounding the February 6, 2025, murders of cousins Carlos Alberto Barboza and Jorge Humberto Barboza, found at the now-closed Dude’s bar in Heredia, Costa Rica. A series of WhatsApp messages recovered from the phones of several suspects paint a disturbing picture of the events leading up to and following the brutal killings.
The Night of the Murders: A Timeline in Texts
According to police reports, the group of suspects maintained a WhatsApp chat where they discussed events surrounding the bar. On February 8, 2025, José Abraham Palacios García mentioned the require to clean sneakers. Later, on February 10, 2025, discussion turned to Erick Dionisio Rodríguez Pastrán, known as “Cali,” who reportedly went to the hospital.
The chat reveals a concerning lack of remorse, with members congratulating “Cali” on his birthday just days after the murders. When “Cali” mentioned he hadn’t received visitors at the hospital, Jean Franco Segura Gómez – the bar owner and a primary suspect, using the alias “BOSS XS” – responded with “por aquel tema,” implying the hospital visit was related to injuries sustained during the homicides.
“Cali’s” Injuries and Conflicting Accounts
“Cali” repeatedly referenced injuries in conversations with various contacts. He claimed to have “blown out the tendons” in a finger, initially attributing it to an accident involving barbed wire, and later to helping a “compa” (friend) who had an accident the day after the murders. However, messages suggest these explanations were fabricated.
Gaudy Potosme Téllez, Segura Gómez’s partner, provided the most chilling details in messages to a friend. She described how “Cali” allegedly cut himself with a knife during the attack, even claiming he stabbed one of the victims in the neck although unconscious. She also implicated Segura Gómez, stating he killed one of the cousins with punches and the other with a knife, alongside other individuals.
Brutal Details of the Attack
The police investigation corroborates the brutality described in the messages. Carlos Barboza sustained 66 stab wounds to his neck, abdomen, back, and pelvis, with one cut severing a major artery. Jorge Barboza suffered four stab wounds, one of which also severed a major artery, leading to fatal blood loss. Both victims also sustained head trauma.
Evidence suggests the victims were outnumbered and incapacitated before the attack. The suspects lowered the curtains, preventing escape, and Segura Gómez allegedly repeatedly punched Jorge Barboza until he was unconscious. Another suspect then attacked Carlos Barboza while he was sleeping at the bar.
The Aftermath and Cover-Up
The messages reveal attempts to conceal evidence and coordinate alibis. Following the murders, suspects discussed the need to clean up and downplayed the severity of the events, referring to them as a “rodada” (incident). Potosme Téllez even offered to warn “Cali” if authorities came looking for him.
The Role of Digital Forensics in Modern Crime Solving
This case highlights the increasing importance of digital forensics in criminal investigations. Law enforcement agencies are now routinely analyzing smartphones, computers, and social media accounts to uncover evidence and build cases. The ability to recover deleted messages, analyze metadata, and track communication patterns provides investigators with valuable insights into criminal activity.
Pro Tip:
Be mindful of your digital footprint. Messages, photos, and online activity can be used as evidence in legal proceedings. Always consider the potential consequences before sharing information online.
FAQ
- What is the current status of the investigation? The investigation is ongoing, with several suspects identified. Jean Franco Segura Gómez was apprehended in Nicaragua and extradited to Costa Rica.
- What charges are the suspects facing? The suspects are facing charges related to the double homicide, with potential sentences exceeding 40 years.
- How were the WhatsApp messages recovered? The messages were recovered through forensic analysis of devices seized from the suspects.
- What role did the bar owner play in the murders? Jean Franco Segura Gómez, the bar owner, is considered a primary suspect and is alleged to have directly participated in the killings.
Did you know? Digital evidence is now a crucial component of most criminal investigations, often providing key insights that would have been impossible to obtain just a few years ago.
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