Colombian fugitive found dead near Port Charlotte Beach Complex

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Photo via CCSO

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – A Colombian fugitive who escaped Charlotte County deputies by swimming into the Gulf of Mexico was found dead by apparent suicide on Mangrove Island across from the Port Charlotte Beach Complex on Tuesday, deputies confirmed Thursday.

Mauricio “Carlos” Espinosa Torres, 65, was apprehended by deputies on Saturday night when it was discovered that he was wanted by international police for alleged sex crimes. Deputies tried to arrest him for narcotics they found on him, but Torres ran to the gulf and swam away, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

A search was conducted for several hours into Sunday, but suspended. Torres was found dead two days later.

He was facing charges in Southwest Florida for narcotics and resisting arrest without violence.

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