Friends and family of the Nicaraguan official found dead in his Bronx apartment gathered Tuesday night to say their goodbyes. This, as police try to figure out what led to his death.

Dozens filled the Ortiz Funeral Home in Washington Heights to pay their final respects to Cesar Mercado, 34.

The general consul was found dead last Thursday by his driver inside the sixth floor apartment on the Grand Concourse.

Investigators say his throat was slashed to the point of near decapitation. They say he also had several stab wounds to the stomach, and that hair samples were found in his hands.

Police are investigating to determine whether or not he was murdered or committed suicide.

Mercado's sister tells NY1 her brother was a religious man and does not believe he would have taken his own life.

"Until the authorities tell us otherwise we will continue to believe that there was a homicide in this case," said Mercado's aunt, Marta Pavon.

Friends and colleagues say they were stunned and saddened by the loss, but will always remember Mercado for his contributions to the community.

"Definitely this is a big loss, because like I said in any events, Nicaraguan events we had over here in New York, we would always come with him," said Pedro Canales of the Civic Cultural Center of Nicaragua.

"The moment you could not have guessed it. It's something like a...it's a shock. My skin still gets chilly when I talk about this," said Olga Hernandez of the Civic Cultural Center of Nicaragua.

Mercado was scheduled to attend the United Nations General Assembly meeting last Thursday.

Nicaraguan government officials along with their own forensic experts have traveled to New York to meet with the police and the medical examiner.

"We want to encourage them to investigate thoroughly. And of course we believe that no public statements are made until such time that we have clarification as to what really happened," said Nicaragua Ambassador Francisco Campbell.

Mercado's body will be flown back to his native country for burial on Wednesday.