Shivangi Sinha
In June 2011, Camilo Salazar dropped off his infant daughter at his wife’s office and stepped out to retrieve the baby’s pacifier—but he never returned. When his family began searching for him, they found his car still parked outside the building. The following day, police responded to reports of a burning body nearby. Tests later confirmed it was Camilo. The injuries he sustained indicated a brutal and violent assault, yet investigators were left with little physical evidence to pursue. NBC’s ‘Dateline: The End of the Affair’ explores the chilling timeline of the case and sheds light on the motive behind Camilo’s murder.
Camilo Salazar Disappeared From the Parking Lot of His Wife’s Office
Camilo Eduardo Salazar was born in April 1968 in Colombia to parents Eduardo and Maria Ines. He was raised alongside his sister, Carolina, and when the family decided to move to the US in search of a better life, it marked a fresh beginning for them all. They eventually settled in Florida, where Camilo began to build his future. He graduated from Florida International University and went on to work for several corporations, carving out a stable career. His father had founded Silver Leaf Designs, a real estate business, and Camilo often collaborated with him. Eventually becoming the sole proprietor, Camilo was dedicated to growing the firm into something lasting—something he hoped to one day pass down to his own children.
Camilo had married Daisy Holcombe, and together, they built a life in the Coconut Grove area of Miami, Florida. The couple were devoted members of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and were well respected within their local community. Outside of work and family, Camilo had a passion for sports—he was a world champion in ultimate frisbee—and he loved spending quality time with his daughters. In May 2011, the birth of his second daughter, Skyler Jamison, brought him immense joy. On the morning of June 1, 2011, Camilo stopped by Daisy’s office at 2801 SW 31st Ave to drop off their 3-week-old baby. Around 10:30 am, he stepped out to retrieve a forgotten pacifier from his car—but mysteriously, he never returned.
Camilo Salazar’s Remains Showed Signs of Torture
Camilo Salazar’s wife quickly raised the alarm when he didn’t return, and the police were promptly notified. His 2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer was still in the parking lot with its windows rolled down and the keys on the floor of the car. Authorities reviewed nearby surveillance footage, but it provided no clues about his whereabouts. The next day, on June 2, 2011, police responded to a report of a burning human body found near the intersection of Okeechobee Road and Northwest 138th Avenue. Forensic analysis was swiftly conducted, and by June 3, the remains were identified as those of Camilo Salazar. The condition of his body revealed a brutal crime—he had been tortured, his throat had been slashed, and his body was partially brunt. It clearly pointed to a violent and intentional killing.
Camilo Salazar’s Murder Investigation Led to the Arrest of Four People
With no forensic evidence available at the crime scene, investigators turned their attention to Camilo Salazar’s personal life. Their search led them to discover that he had been involved in an extramarital affair with Jenny Marin, who was married to Manuel Marin, the founder and co-owner of the Presidente supermarket chain. The two of them had first met when she lived in South Florida and later reconnected. Their relationship had reportedly been kept secret, with communication maintained through burner phones and hotel meetings. However, in February 2011, Manuel allegedly discovered the affair. According to reports, he was enraged and confronted Camilo directly on that very day.
Police brought Jenny in for questioning, and she revealed that Manuel had also gone missing on the night of June 1, 2011. She mentioned that his passport and several valuable items were gone, leading authorities to suspect he had fled the country. Investigators traced his phone activity and found frequent communication with three individuals around the time of Camilo’s murder—Roberto Isaac, Ariel Gandulla, and Alexis Vila Perdomo. Authorities tracked Ariel down in Vancouver, and when contacted, he agreed to cooperate. In exchange for a plea deal, Ariel confessed that on the morning of June 1, he, along with Roberto and Alexis, had kidnapped Camilo. In his testimony, Ariel stated that after that, they took Camilo to a house.
He claimed he remained in the car for about two hours while the others went inside. When they returned, Camilo’s feet were allegedly bound, and they loaded him into a rental truck. Ariel alleged that they later met Manuel at a secluded industrial area, where Camilo was transferred into Manuel’s SUV. Police believe this is when Camilo was tortured and killed at the site where his remains were eventually discovered. They also found a fingerprint on the passenger seat of Camilo’s car, which matched Ariel’s. Although authorities suspected Manuel orchestrated the crime, he was in Spain at the time. To pressure his return, they charged his son, Yaddiel Marin, with aiding and abetting. The tactic worked and on August 24, 2018, Manuel surrendered at the Spanish embassy. In October 2019, Ariel, Roberto, and Alexis were sentenced, and after extradition, Manuel Marin was also convicted of manslaughter.
Read More: Manuel Marin: Where is the Killer Now?
