Friday, September 18, 2009

Murder On The Homefront

Yesterday as we were driving home from downtown, we actually got honked over by the State Police who were on their way somewhere in a hurry. As we passed the bank of apartments just down the road from us, we saw tons of people gathered around a parked ambulance.

Rumors are still flying and details hard to get as I write this, but Isla had a murder yesterday. The last one I remember was about nine years ago and involved a Gringa woman and a drunk laborer.

From what I have heard so far, the woman murdered was an elderly French woman and she was murdered by a man described as an "acquaintance". Has the smell of something domestic, not something random. The police have him in custody.

I don't think there is anything to be concerned about. I really believe this was an act of domestic type violence.

I'll post more later today if more details become available.

UPDATE:

Por Esto, reported on the story this morning. Why the murder took place is still unclear, but the how is being reported on. The murdered woman was Canadian, 60 years old, had recently moved here permanently after having visited for years. She just obtained her FM3 two weeks ago. She had been stabbed "tens of times".

The man charged with the murder is a 24 year old who moved here from Monterrey. No idea how long he has lived here. He was employed as a boatman on North Beach. The murder was "witnessed" by three people. Police caught the guy trying to flee the scene. I think he will be spending a lot of time in jail.

13 comments:

Rosas Clan in Tulum said...

Thank you for posting this. Even when it is bad news it is so much better to get a "here is what we are hearing here" story then a "breaking news in Mexico- another murder-" sort of story. I am so sorry to hear that paradise has been shaken up. I am sure that justice will be swift and things will return to normal again soon.

Jackie said...

Z posted this link on Facebook to a video on YouTube. http://canal10qroo.com/isla/

Calypso said...

"...the woman murdered was an elderly French woman."

Ouch I hate to think of 60 as elderly.

Sad that killing seems to be a common solution to many situations - glad to read there are few on the Isla.

Tom said...

Here's a link to what the Diario de Yucatan is saying http://www.yucatan.com.mx/noticia.asp?cx=15$4108080000$4156392&f=20090918

they are calling it domestic, according to some, they had been in a relationship and she was breaking it off. To stab someone tthat many times is a crime of passion. Very sad.

Debi

KfromMichigan said...

How sad that poor woman dead! Spending time in jail is too good for that guy. Please don't think bad of me but, he deserves the same as he did to her!

mcm said...

I saw this in the morning paper (Diario de Yucatan). Here's a link to their story in the online editin. It has a bit more detail than Por Esto!, although whether it's accurate or not is anybody's guess (I've noticed that details in criminal cases sometimes change after the first reports....).
Here's the link: http://www.yucatan.com.mx/noticia.asp?cx=15$4108080000$4156392&f=20090918

Anonymous said...

"I don't think there is anything to be concerned about" ??????????????

Tell that to the poor lady's friends and family...

This is a very sad and tragic event...

And women do need to be careful on Isla Mujeres...

It is a great place to relax and walk around and meet people. But just like anywhere, you need to look after your personal safety and be cautious making male friends. Passion and jealousy can be dangerous emotions...

Islagringo said...

tulumliving: i hesitated to say anything, not wanted to fan the flames of anti-Mexico. I'm glad I did though.

J: thanks for the link. A caution to people though that the video is somewhat graphic, taken by a Mexican news crew. Nothing is censored.

Calypso:P it's just a number.

Debi: it does appear to have been a crime of passion

KfromMich: an eye for an eye?

mcm: thanks for the link

anonymous: pull your panties out of your crack. What I was saying is that there is not some maniac killer on the loose on Isla. This was a personal attack between two people who knew each other. I still profess that women are safe anywhere on this island. I do agree with you though that people just need to use common sense.

Anonymous said...

Common sense is always advised.

Don't mean to introduce a cultural aberration to this, but the "jilted Latin Lover/Macho insult" thing rings a bell. Consensus seems to suggest that the guy's elevator didn't quite make it to the top floor, either.

A tragedy, nonetheless.

O Robert

CancunCanuck said...

Thanks IslaGringo, a tragic event but certainly not a "Mexico" event, this could have happened anywhere. Stories are mixed on whether this was a love affair gone wrong or simply a mentally unbalanced thief. What is clear is that he has confessed and is in custody and will likely face a long, long time in jail.

May Renee rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

Read the wonderful update from a friend of Renee's ....
http://dentrodeljardin.blogspot.com/

Regards,
Dan in NC

Daniel said...

I heard about this earlier, thanks for writing, and especially confirming it`s not some crazy killer on the loose! Feel so sorry for the poor lady.

Anonymous said...

Renee was from Quebec like me. And here everyone is missing her a lot. Many French-speaking bloggers here in Quebec paid tribute to her and it was all over the news. What a sad story but at least it's a unique case and Isla Mujeres still remains a very safe place to visit/stay.

RIP Renee.