Gay rights activists say the United States Government is keeping a close eye on the hate crime investigation into the death of Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado in Puerto Rico.

Juan Antonio Martinez Matos (pictured above) is in police custody for Mercado's murder, but there has been a lot of speculation around the legitimacy of the investigation after an officer said Mercado deserved to die due to the "type of lifestyle" he chose to lead. 

Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado's body was found decapitated, dismembered, and partially burned on the side of the road in Puerto Rico.  Rosa Emilia Rodríguez, the U.S. Attorney for the district Puerto Rico, says her office plans to monitor the case closely from here on out.