Agents from the Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) arrested a 28-year-old man surnamed Pérez as the main suspect in the homicide of Francisco Ojeda Garcés, a 36-year-old Chilean who lived temporarily in the country. The detention happened during a raid in Dominicalito de Osa, and police still hunt for a second suspect who remains on the run.
The incident dates back to December 26, 2025, when Ojeda’s body turned up in Playa Perfecta, a remote spot in the Osa canton. Initial reports showed the victim had suffered multiple blows across his body, leading authorities to rule it a homicide. Ojeda had spent three years in Costa Rica, where he worked as an environmental activist in the southern region. His brother noted that Francisco aimed to build a better life there and mentioned a possible run-in with the fugitive suspect days earlier.
OIJ investigators point to a personal dispute as the trigger for the attack. Pérez, a local resident, got captured at his home after a coordinated operation that involved surveillance and evidence gathering. During the raid, officials seized items that could tie him to the crime, though specifics stay under wraps to protect the ongoing probe.
The OIJ released a photo of the second suspect to aid in his capture. He is a man whose full identity has not gone public, but who allegedly acted alongside Pérez. Police urge the public to share any leads that could help locate him, stressing the role of community tips in hard-to-reach areas like Osa.
Ojeda was the nephew of René Garcés, the mayor of Navidad in Chile, drawing attention from international media. Family members flew to Costa Rica to identify the body and handle repatriation, which wrapped up in January. The victim’s brother shared that Francisco moved to the country drawn by its natural diversity and chances for eco-projects, but the event cut those short.
This case highlights security issues in tourist and rural parts of Puntarenas. The OIJ has stepped up patrols in beaches like Playa Perfecta, where rare events can shake the sense of peace. Pérez appeared before a judge soon after his arrest and faces formal homicide charges in the coming days.
Prosecutors asked for preventive detention on Pérez, citing flight risk and the crime’s severity. The search for the accomplice goes on with specialized units. Locals in Dominicalito voiced surprise at the arrest, calling Pérez a familiar face in the area without major prior records.
Ojeda’s killing stands as the first such case involving a foreigner in Osa this year and calls attention to the need for safety steps in coastal communities. Local officials plan meetings with residents to boost watchfulness and encourage quick reports of disputes.
