Woman Found Dead in Lord’s Bank Village
Vilma Vindel Elias
Today, the Vindel family in Lord’s Bank Village made a shocking discovery a short distance away from where they lived. The body of Vilma Vindel Elias, a mother of three, was found in a bushy spot in an area known as Spanish Town off the Old Well Road in the village. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.
Duane Moody, Reporting
About a month ago, Vilma Vindel Elias and her three children relocated from Belize City to the Old Well Road area of Lord’s Bank Village. There, they lived with her father and in proximity to her sister. Just after nine p.m. on Monday, as Elias left her sister’s house en route to her dad’s, she was attacked. Reports to News Five is that evidence recovered from the scene suggest that she had been sexually violated, before she was killed. This morning, her body was found by her family who went searching for her after she did not return home.
Voice of: Jose Jacobo Vindel, Father of Deceased [Translated]
“I don’t know what happened, only that this morning, we found her dead because last night she didn’t come home. She would usually come home around 9:30 p.m., but she never came. So I thought that my other daughter that works in Belize City maybe did not reach as yet and since Vilma babysits for her, she stayed with the children at her house. And then this morning, we started to search and that’s when we found her dead.”
Police were called in and according to an official report, responding officers observed the body with an apparent open wound above the right eye. The thirty-nine-year-old was found in an area she used daily to walk home.
Voice of: Jose Jacobo Vindel
“Her life was cut short and now, well God will determine what happens next. The police promised me that they will do what they can to investigate. That’s what I expect. And if not, my God will give me justice because he sees everything and nothing remains hidden. Criminals think they do things in the dark, but one moment it will come out in the light.”
Jose Jacobo Vindel and other residents in the area say that for years there has been no light in the area and this incident has shattered their sense of security.
Voice of: Jose Jacobo Vindel
“I can’t say it is the carelessness of the authorities, I do not know. Maybe they have not seen a claim, but the truth is that the light posts reach there and there’s no more so the rest of the houses are in darkness. And then the thugs, they take advantage of the darkness. I’ve always said before that I am not against the use of masks – I know that it is a protection for everyone – but I told my children and other people that the mask is a protection for the criminals. The authorities have allowed masks that cover everything. That protects them. They should let everyone use the correct mask, but not that big cloth they wear. They put a big cloth on their heads that not even the cameras identify them. And that’s the error of the authorities that should veto that thing.”
Elias leaves behind two daughters and a son; ages fifteen, eight and two. Duane Moody for News Five.
Elias’ cell phone with number 601-6513 was stolen. Anyone with information is asked to contact the nearest police station or crime stoppers Belize.
