The dead man found hanged from a tree inside a Bronx park last month is a migrant suspected of repeatedly raping a teen relative, law enforcement sources told The Post Thurday.
Manuel Delgado, 43 — an asylum seeker from Peru who had lived in the city for less than a year — is believed to have taken his own life inside Pelham Bay Park on Oct. 9 after his family found out about his alleged ongoing relationship with the teen and reported it to police, the sources said.
Investigators advised the girl to call Delgado while the conversation was being taped, according to the sources.
During the call, the teen allegedly told Delgado she was going to go to the police — but he sickeningly told her he wanted to meet at “the spot where we used to go,” the sources said.
Once he arrived at the spot — a wooded area at Orchard Beach Road and Bartow Circle — he committed suicide, according to the sources.
He was found around 1:30 p.m. hanging from a tree, with cuts on his left forearm, neck and stomach, and investigators also found a 9mm shell casing nearby, sources said.
The man’s roommate told cops the victim previously texted him, saying he’d stabbed himself, according to the sources.
Delgado’s alleged sex crimes are believed to have been going on for years, before the family’s arrival in New York, the sources said.
He was never charged with the heinous offenses before he met his end.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.