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Teacher's Body Found On Street In Cutler Bay

CUTLER BAY (CBSMiami) – The body of a Cutler Bay teacher was found lying on a road.  Now police are trying to figure out what happened.

Miami-Dade police said Wednesday night they received a call from someone who said there was a very bloody man walking along 98th Court just inside the Montego Bay subdivision.  When paramedics arrived they found the body of 25-year old Richard Vasallo lying in the road near SW 216th Street.   Vasallo's car was found a short distance away parked in a lot.

Vasallo's relatives said after graduating FIU in 2009, Vasallo taught engineering at SIA Tech.  He lived about three blocks away from where he was found dead.  They didn't know why he was in the area.

"He was a very good person, a very kind person, noble, very humble," said Vasallo's uncle Rick Arriaga.

Family members said Vasallo told them around Wednesday night around 10:30 p.m. that he was going out to get gas for his car.

"This is why it surprised me that he was out at 10:30 at night, out here," said Vasallo's cousin Ray Florat. "Doing what I don't know."

Crime scene investigators found what appeared to be a baseball bat near where Vasallo had collapsed.

"Anybody out there in the community that has seen something or heard something, please come forward. This is a great tragedy. This is a soul that wouldn't hurt anybody," said Arriaga.

Police have asked for the public's help as they investigate Vasallo's death.

"If they possibly saw any vehicles fleeing the area, a commotion, anybody yelling, screaming, anything out of the ordinary we would appreciate them calling the homicide bureau," said Sgt. Julio Padron.

Police have not said how Vasallo died. They are waiting on the results of the Medical Examiner's findings.

Anyone with information can also call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.

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