Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Murder

a person standing posing for the camera: MailOnline logo© Provided by Daily Mail MailOnline logo

The body of a New Orleans realtor, 29, has been found in the back seat of his car after he arranged to sell his dirt bike to a 20-year-old man on Facebook Marketplace who has since admitted to shooting him dead.

Joseph Vindel died Sunday after leaving his home in New Orleans and traveling to the town of Harvey, Jefferson Parish, to meet up with prospective buyer Jalen Harvey. 

Vindel, who his family said was excited about his new career in real estate, vanished and was never seen alive again.

Harvey allegedly shot and killed Vindel in his car before driving and abandoning the car with the victim's body inside and making off with the dirt bike. 

Harvey was arrested Monday morning on charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery and obstruction of justice. 

a motorcycle parked on the side of a building: Vindel listed his red Honda dirt bike for sale for $2,700 on Facebook Marketplace. Pictured the bike in Vindel's online listing© Provided by Daily Mail Vindel listed his red Honda dirt bike for sale for $2,700 on Facebook Marketplace. Pictured the bike in Vindel's online listing

The tragedy unfolded after Vindel listed his red Honda dirt bike for sale for $2,700 on Facebook Marketplace.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto said at a press conference Monday that Vindel set off around 10 a.m. Sunday to meet up with Harvey at an apartment complex in the 2100 block of Manhattan Boulevard. 

'Mr. Vindel never returned from that transaction,' the sheriff said.

Harvey allegedly shot Vindel multiple times, killing him while he was sitting inside his SUV. 

The suspect then allegedly drove with his victim's body in the car to Coliseum Street in the Garden District in New Orleans.

There, Harvey abandoned the car leaving his victim's body on the back seat, authorities said.

The suspect then allegedly drove the dirt bike, which had been on a trailer attached to the vehicle, back to his apartment complex in Harvey. 

The net closed in when Vindel's family grew concerned about the 29-year-old when they were unable to get in touch with him by Sunday night and contacted the sheriff's department.

  • a man wearing a suit and tie smiling at the camera: Joseph Vindel (pictured) died Sunday after leaving his home in New Orleans and traveling to the town of Harvey, Jefferson Parish, to meet up with prospective buyer Harvey
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  • a man holding a dog posing for the camera: Harvey allegedly shot and killed Vindel in his car
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  • a man and a woman standing in front of a building: Harvey then drove the car and abandoned it with the victim's body inside and made off with the dirt bike. He's pictured with his girlfriend
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  • a man smiling for the camera: Vindel with his father Lindsey Vindel who told WWLTV his son was 'loved by everyone' and was known for his outgoing personality and great sense of humor
a man wearing a suit and tie smiling at the camera: Joseph Vindel (pictured) died Sunday after leaving his home in New Orleans and traveling to the town of Harvey, Jefferson Parish, to meet up with prospective buyer Harvey
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Joseph Vindel (pictured) died Sunday after leaving his home in New Orleans and traveling to the town of Harvey, Jefferson Parish, to meet up with prospective buyer Harvey

Investigators then found text messages arranging the bike sale between Harvey and Vindel which led them to the Manhattan Boulevard address where the suspect was located. 

The dirt bike was found on the outside patio of Harvey's apartment and the gun used in the slaying was recovered inside the building, authorities said.

Harvey was arrested Monday morning in connection to Vindel's killing.  

Lopinto, the sheriff, said Harvey admitted during questioning that he shot Vindel dead before dumping his body in his car.  

The sheriff said investigators were still looking into whether or not Harvey had planned the shooting in advance of meeting Vindel.

'That's something our investigators are going to have to look into,' Lopinto said. 

'We have to look at the timeline of everything that occurred, look at what the statements are saying and what matches up to the physical evidence after we do an autopsy and ballistics analysis.' 

 The sheriff slammed the loss of life over a dirt bike: 'I don't care what it is, I mean a $2,800 dollar dirt bike its not anything anybody should be shot over.' 

a motorcycle parked in a wooded area: Harvey was arrested Monday morning on charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery and obstruction of justice. Pictured the bike in the listing© Provided by Daily Mail Harvey was arrested Monday morning on charges of first-degree murder, armed robbery and obstruction of justice. Pictured the bike in the listinga screenshot of a computer: The sheriff slammed the loss of life over a dirt bike: 'I don't care what it is, I mean a $2,800 dollar dirt bike its not anything anybody should be shot over'. The listing above© Provided by Daily Mail The sheriff slammed the loss of life over a dirt bike: 'I don't care what it is, I mean a $2,800 dollar dirt bike its not anything anybody should be shot over'. The listing above

Lopinto urged people to meet in public locations when selling goods online to strangers.

'I think you're safer at a grocery store parking lot,' Lopinto said. 

He added: 'Hug your children and call them as much as you can.'

Vindel's devastated father Lindsey Vindel told WWLTV his son was 'loved by everyone' and was known for his outgoing personality and great sense of humor. 

Vindel was looking forward to his new career as a realtor after earning his real estate license, the outlet reported.

Harvey had no prior convictions but had previous arrests including for burglary of an inhabited dwelling and illegal carrying of a firearm, the sheriff confirmed.  


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