***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 24, 2016

ISRAEL ORDONEZ CALIXTO CHARGED WITH BOTH MURDER AND FETICIDE AS VICTIM WAS PREGNANT AT TIME OF ATTACK

Media Contact: Curtis T. Hill, Jr. (574) 296-1888

Prosecuting Attorney Curtis T. Hill, Jr., filed formal charges of Murder and Feticide today relating to the death of Savanna Best, 20, of Elkhart, and her unborn child. Israel Ordonez Calixto was arrested by the Elkhart Police Department after their investigation alleging Ordonez killed Miss Best by stabbing her with a knife, which also caused the death of her unborn child, on or about the 12th day of August, 2016.

On August 18, 2016, a concerned citizen notified police that Ordonez had claimed to have killed Miss Best, his girlfriend, at an apartment in Elkhart County. Police responded and found the body of Miss Best shortly thereafter. Further investigation documented the circumstances surrounding her death and that Ordonez was aware that Best was pregnant.

Mr. Ordonez was being held without bond pending the filing of formal charges and an initial hearing which is scheduled to take place Thursday, August 25, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. in the Elkhart Circuit Court. The crime of Murder carries a penalty of incarceration between 45 and 65 years, and Feticide, a Level 3 Felony, carries a penalty of incarceration between 3 and 16 years.

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“Under Indiana law, all persons arrested for a criminal offense are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”