BELMOPAN, Belize (CMC) — Police are investigating the murder of a 79-year-old pastor, whose body was found on a farm lying under an orange tree in Belize.

Assistant Superintendent of Polic, Daniel Iche, said it appeared that the pastor Florencio Guillermo Bardalez from San Ignacio may have bene killed as he picked tamarind as some had been found in a bucket nearby.

He was the leader at the Baptist Church in San Ignacio and was popularly known as “Pastor B”.

“He was an outstanding citizen of this municipality. I have known Mr Bardalez for many years now and since I’ve known him, he has been that exemplary and outstanding citizen of this town,” said Earl Trapp, the Mayor of San Ignacio/Santa Elena

“This was definitely shocking to me when Superintendent Rosado sent me the information last night that this crime was committed and they found him dead on his farm. So, it was definitely shocking to me and left the community with our mouths open.”

The pastor had injuries to the face and the back of the head. A piece of stick and a stone, believed to be the objects used to commit the murder, were found next to him.