Paco Stanley murder case takes a turn: DEA protected witness reveals alleged killer

A new documentary, "Testigos: la verdad tiene voz," is stirring up old questions surrounding the 1999 murder of Mexican showman Paco Stanley. Jorge Godoy López, who identifies himself as a DEA-protected witness and former judicial agent, has come forward in Mexico City to share his account of the high-profile crime.

According to Godoy's testimony, Carlos Acevedo, known as "El Pato," was the one who carried out the assassination. Godoy alleges the motive stemmed from an unfinished money laundering operation involving $4 million. "Carlos Acevedo was given the order because he had been lent money to launder it. It was a sum of $4 million for them to launder it and return it to them," he stated.

This narrative is part of the new testimonies featured in the documentary, which aims to present a different explanation for the events of June 7, 1999. Stanley was killed outside the restaurant El Charco de las Ranas. While the documentary points to "El Pato" as the alleged perpetrator, these claims are not officially concluded by authorities.

Godoy explained that he learned of the murder while working with the U.S. Department of Justice and the DEA. He reported Stanley's death to his DEA superior, Héctor Berreyes, as part of "Operation Leyenda," but claims there was no interest in pursuing the case further at the time. He also cited threats from both Mexican authorities and organized crime figures as reasons for his silence over the years.

Juan Carlos Uribe, the documentary's producer, stated that a key goal is to provide elements that could clarify what happened and offer answers to Stanley's family. "We want to give clarity and peace to the Stanley family, who were the main affected, and to the people of Mexico for losing a host like Mr. Paco Stanley," Uribe said. The production also includes testimonies intended to clear Mario Bezares and Paola Durante, who were initially implicated but later released.