New Details In Killing Of Wallingford Teen Found In Lake: Report

WALLINGFORD, CT — The man accused of killing his 17-year-old nephew told police the victim attacked him with a piece of wood at Community Lake in Wallingford, according to the Meriden Record-Journal. David Diaz-Perez, 21, was arrested Monday night and charged with murder in connection with the death of 17-year-old Nolvin Diaz, whose body was found in Community Lake on May 3.

Diaz was reported missing by relatives April 25 and a Silver Alert was issued. He was last seen alive April 23. In the arrest warrant, Diaz-Perez told police that he agreed with Diaz’s request to meet him at Community Lake on April 23, according to the Record-Journal.

The Record-Journal reports Diaz-Perez claimed Diaz attacked him with a piece of wood and Diaz-Perez then picked up his own piece of wood and struck Diaz until he was motionless. Diaz-Perez left the scene and returned home to a nearby Meadow Street residence where both men lived. When Diaz didn't return home, Diaz-Perez went back to the area May 2 and dragged Diaz’s body into the lake.

Two kayakers found Diaz’s partially submerged body in Community Lake May 3. Diaz had suffered numerous injuries to the head and face and had his own belt tied around his neck, according to Lt. Cheryl Bradley.

The state Medical Examiner’s office ruled Diaz’s death a homicide “caused by blunt injury to the head, sharp force injury to the face and ligature strangulation,” according to Bradley. A motive for the killing is still unclear, Bradley said.

Read more details from the arrest warrant at the Meriden Record-Journal here.