Lynn murder victim ID’d

LYNN – The man who was found murdered behind a Union Street bakery was identified Tuesday as 22-year-old Silvino C. Mendez.Mendez lived with his brother at a two-family home on Chestnut Street since he moved to Lynn from Guatemala one year ago.Eduardo Mendez, 32, who speaks limited English, said his brother was a quiet man and a hard worker who was trying to support his mother back home. Silvino Mendez worked as a cook at Chili’s restaurant in Danvers.Police discovered Mendez’ body at about 5:40 a.m. Monday behind Mi Guatemala Bakery at 201 Union St. He was stabbed to death, according to the Essex County District Attorney’s Office.The victim’s brother and cousin said police have interviewed them, but have told them little information about their family member’s death. No arrests were made as of press time.”They just said they found him dead,” said Leonel Mendez, 19, the victim’s cousin.Silvino Mendez was one of six sons. He also leaves behind his mother and 14 nieces and nephews.”We just want to send his body back to Guatemala,” Leonel said.Police released very little information about the homicide Tuesday.Workers of the bakery called police Monday morning after realizing the person lying in the rear parking lot wasn’t a homeless person or an intoxicated individual.”At first they thought it may have been someone drunk,” bakery owner Freddy Rodriguez said.Mendez was found lying on his back near a wooden fence bordering the lot about 15 feet away from a box truck. Witnesses said Mendez’ chest was covered in blood and saw blood spattered across the truck’s front bumper.The slaying marks the third official homicide in Lynn since the year began.It’s the second unsolved murder of 2008. An unknown assailant shot Darlin Guzman, 28, outside an Austin Square convenience store Feb. 10.