Family speaking out after loved one was murdered in Cape Coral

Two men are behind bars nine months after their loved one was gunned down in a Cape Coral driveway.

Cape Coral Police arrested Eduardo Troche Rodriguez and Jose Maldonado for the robbery and murder of 41-year-old Fernando Montero.

Police said the two left Florida and went to Kentucky after the killing. After investigating and one of the suspects coming back to Florida, the other duo member was found.

In a WINK News exclusive, the family of Fernando Batista Montero is speaking out.

It’s difficult for Amanda Batista not to smile when talking about her father, Fernando.

“He was a pain in my butt. He was annoying, but he was my dad. He was my dance partner at every event,” Batista said.

“He was funny. He was very generous towards everyone in his life,” Batista said.

In June 2022, Cape Coral Police said Fernando was murdered when Ramon Troche-Rodgriguez and Jose Maldonado shot and robbed him. The news shattered his family Batista said.

“It’s like a big part of the family was just kind of ripped apart. And we were empty for so long.It’s like a big part of the family was just kind of ripped apart. And we were empty for so long,” Batista said.

“Cuz it’s something that just doesn’t make sense. It’s just–you don’t believe it,” Batista said.

Maldonado was arrested in July, but at first, police only knew of Rodriguez by a nickname so they couldn’t track him down. After nine months of waiting for answers Batista and her family feared the case might have gone cold.

“I never thought the day would come when I would get the call saying, hey, like, we got him,” Batista said.

So when she got the call from detective Craigan, she was shocked.

“I don’t know who was gonna cry in that moment. We were both so ecstatic about the outcome of the situation because he was working so hard to make sure he could give me that call and let me know hey, we did it,” Batista said.

The family said they are eternally grateful to Cape Coral police for bringing them the closure they’ve needed.

“It’s good. A lot of peace right now…we’re gonna have to keep going without him. But, Yeah, it feels very good to know that they’re not in the streets anymore,” Niurdarys Acosta, the victim’s partner said.

And now that the family has closure, their loved one may finally be able to rest in peace.

“There’s gonna be justice for what they did to him,” Batista said.