Suspect in 2001 Schaumburg murder captured

A fugitive wanted in the murder of a 28-year-old Hanover Park man more than a decade ago has been arrested in Mexico, Schaumburg police said Wednesday.

Jose Camacho, 43, whose last known address was in Hanover Park, has been wanted in connection with the death of Flavio Venancio, whose body was found floating in a pond near the Schaumburg train station on May 25, 2001.

An autopsy determined that Venancio had been beaten, stabbed and drowned. Schaumburg investigators believe Camacho killed the victim in an alcohol-fueled argument, police said.

An arrest warrant for first-degree murder was issued for Camacho, but it's believed he fled the state shortly after the killing. In June 2001, a federal arrest warrant for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution was issued.

Investigators learned Wednesday that Camacho had been located and arrested by Mexican authorities. Since then, the Cook County State's Attorney's office has been working with the Mexican government to arrange for extradition, though no time frame has yet been established.

Schaumburg detectives have continued to work the case over the last decade in an effort to locate Camacho, police said.

In 2009, the FBI issued a news release and profiled the case to renew interest and generate new leads. After learning that Camacho was in Mexico, Schaumburg police began working with the FBI and State Department to gain the assistance of the Mexican government.