Businessman dead from self-inflicted gunshot wound

We lead tonight’s newscast with the shocking death of a former businessman, diplomat and politician. News of his sudden demise spread quickly over the weekend stunning family and friends. Oscar Ayuso Jr. was found dead of a self inflicted gunshot wound last Saturday evening at his home in the affluent community of Bella Vista. The fifty-one year old had earlier in the day celebrated his mother’s birthday at a family reunion and had been back home for a little over an hour when his wife, Halima, found his lifeless body with one gunshot on the left side of his temple. Financial pressures appear to have driven Ayuso to his death. He was the managing director of the family’s business, G Ayuso and Sons Ltd and G Ayuso and Son Travel Agency and is said to have accumulated considerable debts. As a businessman, Ayuso was well known and respected in the business community where he had served in various capacities at the Social Security Board, Port Authority and Chamber of Commerce. Just before the 1998 elections, Ayuso became involved in party politics with the U.D.P. and that same year he was first named to the Senate, an appointment to which he served twice. In 1999, in the restructuring of the U.D.P., he emerged as a deputy party leader, but in 2005 he resigned after he narrowly lost a bid in the Caribbean Shores constituency to the now Minister, Carlos Perdomo. And while he maintained an interest thereafter, he kept a low profile in party politics but was actively involved in community life in Caribbean Shores. Ayuso was named Ambassador to the Holy See earlier this year. He also served for many years as honorary consul of Sweden. An official funeral is being planned for this Wednesday at the Divine Mercy on the Northern Highway. Transcending political lines, both the U.D.P. and the P.U.P. have expressed a great loss. He leaves behind his wife Halima and their two children. Oscar Ayuso Jr., dead at fifty-one.