Nicaraguan Consul’s Death in New York City Ruled a Suicide

New York City police have confirmed that last month’s death of the Nicaraguan consul in New York, Cesar Mercado, 34, was suicide.

On Sept. 23 Mercado’s driver found the diplomat lying in his Bronx apartment with a slit throat and 12 abdominal stab wounds. Further investigation by forensic experts revealed that Mercado stabbed himself after swallowing drain cleaner.

Police had not ruled out the possibility of suicide after traces of the corrosive liquid were found in his body. They also had discovered that Mercado had been diagnosed with an incurable disease, which may have been the motive behind the act.

Mercado had been living in New York since 2001, and his acquaintances remembered him as diligent, respectful and thoughtful.

Mercado’s remains were repatriated to Nicaragua for services in Masatepe, his native city.