Louisville police: Man slashed victim's throat, dumped body near Indian Trail

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A 28-year-old Louisville man arrested Wednesday after a murder victim's body with "traumatic wounds" was found near Petersburg Park appeared in court Thursday morning.

Miguel Andrade Giron is charged with murder, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence.

The victim — identified in the arrest report as Olvin Jaziel Ramires-Pena — was found in a wooded area off Indian Trail and Petersburg Road near Petersburg Park on Sept. 23, two days after he was reported missing. According to the arrest document, officers responding to reports of a person down found the victim "with multiple stab wounds including a large wound across his neck, multiple stab wounds to the chest, and wounds to his hands."

Ramires-Pena was pronounced dead at the scene by EMS.

Police said it appears his body was dragged several feet toward a wooded area so it wouldn't be visible from the street. During the course of the investigation, detectives were told that Andrade Giron and Ramires-Pena lived at the same residence and that Andrade Giron had begun "to pack his bags to flee the state" after the victim's body was found.

Police said Andrade Giron's 2005 Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck was seen on surveillance video circling the area where the victim was last seen alive. Police stopped the truck Sept. 23 and arrested Andrade Giron on unrelated charges. They then got a warrant to search the vehicle and found a pair of shoes and a pair of jeans with blood evidence. More blood was found on the rear passenger side as well as on the driver's door and the front passenger door.

Police said they also found a stolen 9mm handgun in the truck during their search.

While still in custody on the unrelated charges, Andrade Giron admitted he lied about being involved in the murder, according to court documents. He told investigators they were arguing when Andrade Giron forced Ramires-Pena into his truck at knifepoint before driving to East Indian Trail and Petersburg Road.

Andrade Giron said that's when he stabbed Ramires-Pena several times. He told investigators he later threw the knife from the vehicle while he was driving to destroy the evidence. He also tried to wipe the blood from the vehicle.

During Thursday's court appearance, the judge appointed a public defender and set bond at $250,000 full cash. Andrade Giron is due back in court Oct. 4.

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