The man arrested in connection with the death of Valerie Reyes, who was found in a suitcase in Connecticut last week, reportedly confessed to the killing.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, Javier DeSilva, described as Reyes’ ex-boyfriend, has been arrested in connection with the woman’s death, and is suspected of fraudulently using her ATM card.

According to CBS New York, sources have said that DeSilva confessed to killing the 24-year-old woman. He reportedly lives in Flushing, Queens, and sources told the news outlet that he is in the U.S. illegally after overstaying his visa. He is believed to be from Venezuela originally.

CrimeOnline has been in contact with a man identifying himself as Justin Orda, Reyes’ most recent boyfriend. Orda said that DeSilva’s arrest was a “huge surprise,” and that he was not aware that investigators had evidence leading to DeSilva. Orda also said that he did not believe DeSilva and Reyes were ever officially in a relationship, though DeSilva reportedly wished to be. He said that Reyes did not speak of DeSilva often or recently.

Asked if he had ever gotten the impression that Reyes was fearful of DeSilva, Orda said no, and that he believed DeSilva had moved to California since Orda and Reyes began dating. He said he did not think DeSilva and Reyes had been in recent contact.

“I didn’t think he was even near New York,” Orda said. In a previous message exchange this past weekend, Orda told CrimeOnline that he and Reyes were taking some space from each other at the time of her disappearance, following a misunderstanding that he did not believe meant their relationship was over.

Reyes was found dead in a suitcase along Glenville Road in Greenwich, Connecticut, on the morning of February 5. Authorities have not released a cause of death. CrimeOnline will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.