Nicaraguan Diplomat Cesar Mercado Found Dead, Throat Slashed in NYC Apartment

NEW YORK (CBS/AP) A Nicaraguan diplomat was found dead in his New York City apartment with his throat slashed and multiple stab wounds to his stomach hours before he was to attend the U.N. General Assembly's meeting, officials said.

Cesar Mercado, 34, was found at 10:35 a.m. in his apartment in the Bronx by the driver who was scheduled to pick him up.

Police say the driver knocked on Mercado's door, which was unlocked, and opened it to find Mercado's lifeless body sprawled on the floor of his studio.

Mercado, who had worked at the Nicaraguan consulate as acting consul general, was last seen alive on Wednesday.

Investigators have learned that two knives were used in the attack, a 12-inch steak knife found at the side of blood-filled bathroom sink and a smaller paring knife found in the kitchen sink.

Police are looking into Mercado's recent contacts, his relationships, as well as his whereabouts during the days leading up to his death, but as of now no suspects have been identified and a motive remains unclear.

"He had no enemies. He was loved by everyone who knew him," a friend, Amparo Amador, said in Spanish. "When I first heard of his death, I thought he must've died from natural causes because there would be no way he could be killed."

Police are investigating Mercado's death as a homicide; however, AOL News reported that Mercado who had been depressed for month had instructed friends what to do in case of his death.

Mexican Consul Ruben Beltran, a leader of the Association of Latin American Consuls had nothing but good things to say about Mercado and his commitment to

"He was an active colleague; he always came to the important events. He was a generous, friendly, straightforward person, a good colleague."