A Florida man, David Knezevich, was ordered held without bond by a federal judge in connection with the disappearance of his estranged wife, Ana Knezevich, in Spain. The judge cited concerns about the defendant’s wealth and ties to Serbia, making him a potential flight risk. Ana, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Colombia, disappeared after a man in a motorcycle helmet tampered with a security camera outside her Madrid apartment. The couple had been going through a contentious divorce after 13 years of marriage, with disagreements over their amassed fortune. Prosecutors believe Ana is dead and have substantial evidence implicating Knezevich in her disappearance.
The prosecution presented evidence that Knezevich flew to Turkey before Ana’s disappearance, then traveled to Serbia to rent a car. Security footage showed him purchasing duct tape and spray paint in Madrid on the day of Ana’s disappearance. Additionally, his cellphone activity connected him to the city, and other suspicious actions were noted, such as stolen license plates linked to a motorcycle shop and Ana’s street. Knezevich allegedly texted messages from Ana’s phone to friends after she disappeared, suggesting she was leaving with a man, which her friends found unlikely. The rental car Knezevich used was returned with alterations, indicating tampering.
Defense attorney, Jayne Weintraub, challenged the prosecution’s case, stating that it was based on assumptions and lacked concrete evidence. She questioned the completeness of the investigation, including the possibility that Ana ran off willingly or with someone else. Weintraub argued that there was no proof of forced disappearance, a crucial element of the kidnapping charge. She also questioned the jurisdiction of the U.S. government to try the case, suggesting it was a stretch under federal kidnapping laws. The judge acknowledged the defense’s arguments but ultimately ruled in favor of the prosecution due to the evidence presented against Knezevich.
Weintraub’s defense strategy included highlighting inconsistencies in the investigation, such as missing items from Ana’s apartment and unidentified blood that was being tested. She also raised doubts about the validity of the government’s theory, including Ana’s mental health history and her reported conversations about suicide. Despite objections from the defense, the judge found the prosecution’s evidence to be compelling enough to warrant holding Knezevich without bond. He suggested that Weintraub could appeal his decision if she disagreed with the ruling. The case has garnered significant attention due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding Ana Knezevich’s disappearance and the legal complexities involved in prosecuting a crime that occurred overseas.
