WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – A tragic incident unfolded last month in West Palm Beach, resulting in a fatal stabbing and a murder charge. Manuel Orozco, 51, from Greenacres, was arrested following an altercation that led to the death of 54-year-old Iosvani Casonova Moreno on the night of Feb. 29 outside a community grocery store. Orozco now faces one count of second-degree murder related to this incident.
The somber discovery of Moreno’s body occurred less than half a mile away from the scene of the altercation, outside a bank on the 800 block of Southern Boulevard. Orozco was taken into custody on Tuesday, March 26, and was scheduled for a bail hearing at the Palm Beach County Jail however, he chose not to appear as records indicate.
Following the arrest, Orozco was assigned a public defender by Circuit Judge Donald Hafele and was ordered to be held without bail. Additionally, Hafele imposed restrictions on Orozco, prohibiting any contact with Moreno’s family or potential witnesses. As is customary, the county Public Defender’s Office refrained from commenting on the ongoing case.
Authorities responded to a 911 call on the evening of Feb. 29 and found Moreno lying in the northeast corner of a bank parking lot near the Southdale Shopping Center with what appeared to be a stab wound to his chest. Despite efforts by West Palm Beach Fire Rescue medics, Moreno was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses reported seeing Orozco and Moreno drinking beer outside a grocery store prior to the altercation. Surveillance footage from the store captured multiple altercations between the two men, with Orozco ultimately attacking Moreno after being shoved by him. Moreno was last seen walking south on Lake Avenue in the direction of where his body was later discovered.
On March 2, authorities obtained a warrant to collect DNA from Orozco, who chose not to provide any statement regarding the events of Feb. 29. The investigation into this tragic incident continues as the legal process unfolds.