Two Men Now Charged In Catawba County Murder Investigation

A second suspect has been charged as part of a murder investigation by the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office.

On Friday, 29-year old Angel Gustavo Gonzalez of Hickory was arrested and charged with the murder of Luiz Enrique Rodriguez. This arrest stems from information deputies and investigators obtained as this investigation has continued.

The arrest is in connection to the death of 51-year-old Luiz Enrique Rodriguez . His body was found on December 3rd along Lee Cline Road in Conover after Deputies responded to a report of a deceased person. They found the deceased in a wooded area near the intersection with Eckard Road.

Earlier on Friday as previously reported, 31-year-old Juan Jesus Santellan of Hickory was charged with murder. The arrests were the result of information Deputies and Investigators obtained during the early morning hours Thursday. Both suspects are jailed in the Catawba County Detention Center without bond. Santellan had a first appearance in District Court Thursday. Gonzalez was scheduled to appear in District Court today.

Photos: Catawba County Sheriff’s Office