A Family's Worst Fear Realized: Missing Taxi Driver Found Slain in Reservoir

A chilling discovery has brought a tragic end to the anxious wait for the family of Aurelio Zhunio-Orbez. After weeks of agonizing uncertainty, the 52-year-old taxi driver, who vanished from the Bronx back on November 17th, was found slain, his body pulled from the cold waters of the Croton Falls Reservoir in North Salem, Westchester County. It’s the news no family ever wants to hear, turning a desperate search for a missing loved one into a profound sorrow.

Aurelio, originally from Ecuador, was by all accounts a dedicated husband and father. He leaves behind a wife and two children, including a 16-year-old son, all of whom reside in the Bronx. Like so many hardworking immigrants, he toiled long hours, often 12-hour shifts, behind the wheel of his yellow cab, tirelessly sending money back home to support his family both here and abroad. He was, simply put, a man striving for a better life for those he loved.

The fateful night of his disappearance began like any other. Aurelio had reportedly dropped off a passenger in the Bronx around 2:30 a.m. on that Monday morning. Soon after, he picked up another fare – and that, it seems, was the last anyone saw or heard from him. Police investigators believe he was likely killed sometime shortly after taking on that final, unknown passenger.

Adding another grim layer to the mystery, his distinctive yellow 2017 Toyota Camry taxi was discovered abandoned a few days later in Co-op City. This find immediately shifted the police investigation into high gear, suggesting foul play. For weeks, authorities had been urgently searching for a person of interest, a man seen getting into Aurelio's cab, hoping he held the key to Aurelio’s whereabouts.

During those harrowing weeks, Aurelio’s family had been tirelessly pleading for information, their voices filled with anguish. His wife, distraught, spoke of his unwavering dedication, 'He worked for his kids. He was always working,' she had tearfully told reporters, painting a picture of a devoted man whose sudden absence was unimaginable. The discovery of his body, while offering a painful form of closure, only deepens their heartbreak.

The investigation is now a joint effort, with detectives from the NYPD working closely alongside the New York State Police and the Westchester County District Attorney’s office. They are committed to finding answers and bringing those responsible to justice. While details about the cause of death are still emerging, what’s clear is that a life was needlessly cut short. Authorities are urging anyone with even the slightest bit of information to come forward, reminding the public that a reward is available through Crime Stoppers for tips leading to an arrest.

It's a stark reminder of the dangers many hardworking individuals face in their daily lives, and a profound loss for a family that simply wanted their beloved Aurelio home. Now, their focus shifts from searching to seeking justice for a man who gave everything for his family.