He was seen returning to the dump site multiple times, while police say he attempted to sneak into his house while they were executing a search warrant. They found a chainsaw in his storage unit covered in blood and bone material.

After her remains were discovered in three suitcases, a tote and a third bag last month, he was arrested and charged with the murder of his wife.

In an press release issued Friday, the Delray Beach Police Department announced the arrest of William Lowe Jr. (78), in connection with Aydil Barrosa Fontes' murder. He is charged with murder in the 1st degree and abuse of dead bodies.

After police asked the public for help in identifying victim, dental records provided positive identification, and they continued to focus on victim's spouse.

The arrest affidavit of Lowe (via law & crime) lays the timeline for the investigation. It claims Lowe returned multiple times to the location where the body had been dumped, even while police were searching that area. The affidavit also describes how Lowe first caught their attention and how he initially reacted when asked about his wife.

FBI Fears additional victims after woman escapes from kidnapper's Cinderblock cell

Documents show that on July 21, Delray Beach Police got a call regarding a suitcase which may have contained human remains. This was confirmed by detectives who responded to the case and found a "human leg protruding from the zipper." The first suitcase was found to contain human legs and several small stones. The bag was also marked with "Latam MIA Barbosa Ontes [Unreadable Character]"

A second witness discovered a second bag an hour later. It contained human remains, too -- this time, a torso without a hand or a head, as well as rocks. A third suitcase, containing a female human pelvis and a Cheesecake Factory bag full of rocks, was found shortly thereafter.

A tote bag, wrapped in a belt, was found in the intracoastal waterway the next day. It contained a human skull with a single bullet wound behind the victim’s ear. This was confirmed to be the cause of death. The purse, which was tied in the same way as one of the bags, and may have been weighed down by a cigarette ashtray, was also found nearby.

The police initially asked the public to help identify the victim. They believed that the murder occurred between the 17th and the 20th of July. The police released images of the "possible" victim, believing she was Hispanic or white, aged between 35 and 55 with tattooed eyebrows. The photos included the floral top that she was wearing as well as two suitcases. They believed they were "unique," and would bring in more leads.

As the investigation progressed, the authorities interviewed a witness. He reported that a man in the 50s or 60s had been "looking into the Intra-coastal Waterway" several days prior to the discovery. The witness stated that the man "appeared he was looking at the case." The witness reported seeing him five to six times in just three days. At one point, they even asked what the man was looking at. The man allegedly said to the witness that he "was waiting for the big ship to come into harbor" but the witness replied it was too shallow for a large boat. The man also "appeared to be nervous" according to the witness, and "immediately went over to his vehicle" after being asked questions.

A second witness reported that a man matching this description was also seen in the same area on the 21st of July, looking at another suitcase and saying "S ---"" before driving away in a Ford.

A witness told detectives that a man who matched the description used the dock ladder while holding a metal rod to "push or scrape" something into the waterway.

On July 20, surveillance video captured a shirtless male carrying a bag that "appeared heavy" before climbing down the ladder and disappearing. He returned a few minutes later without the bag and left his shoes on the scene.

FBI Fears additional victims after woman escapes from kidnapper's Cinderblock cell

Police then discovered a Ford in the same area as the bodies were found on the 24th of July. Police ran the plates and found Lowe who lives just.01 mile from the location of one of the suitcases. Records showed that he also lived with Aydil Barrosa Fontes whose name matched the sticker on the luggage. Lowe later identified her as his wife.

Lowe allegedly said to police that his wife had been in Brazil "for about 3 weeks" but he didn't know how she got there, which airline she flew, or when they spoke last. He also told officers that he hadn't seen the suitcases and didn't know why her name was on them.

On July 31, detectives executed a search warrant on the apartment. They allegedly found "blood spatter" in the bedroom and dining room as well as the hallway, both bathrooms, and the living room. Police also found drag marks and blood spattered cleaning supplies all over the house. During their search, police said Lowe had "attempted" to enter through the back window, but officers stopped him. According to the affidavit Lowe claimed he tried to retrieve his keys and phone from a storage facility for which authorities obtained a search permit.

Fontes' medical records identified him as the victim on August 1.

Police confirmed that the suspect had told a neighbor she'd not seen Lowe in a few weeks, and that he would leave her flowers on occasion. A neighbor reported that three weeks ago, they saw what they thought was "a trail of soup" from Lowe's door, up the stairs and down the hallway to the apartment above Lowe, where his sister lives. The maintenance man of the building cleaned up the mess with 409.

The detectives searched the apartment of the sister and found cleaning supplies and the charger for the Ryobi chainsaw. They also discovered "human hair, bone matter and flesh" in the storage unit. The unit also contained a cooler that detectives believed had blood stains and red marks. Lowe was arrested after a warrant for his arrest was issued.

Lowe was taken into custody at the Palm Beach County Jail on Wednesday. Lowe, according to court records, pleaded not guilt Thursday during his first court appearance.

Marc Shiner told CNN, Lowe was a "former Marine" who "honorably served our nation." He added that the defendant is "looking forward to the whole truth coming out in courtroom."

In a Friday statement, Delray Beach Police chief Russ Mager said: "This murder has gripped the community." Many people who have been thoughtful provided valuable information that has helped the investigation. Our detectives and police officers have worked relentlessly since day one to identify the victim, and bring her murderer to justice.

Mager added, "I hope our efforts will bring peace to the family of the victim."

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Title: Husband Arrested After Wife's Dismembered Remains Found In Three Separate Suitcases
Sourced From: www.toofab.com/2023/08/04/william-lowe-arrest-aydil-barbosa-fontes-body-suitcases/
Published Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2023 18:45:24 +0000

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