In the aftermath of a shocking discovery that left authorities and family members horrified, Lina M. Guerra's family has broken their silence about the tragedy that started with her disappearance, and ended terribly in her death.
Lina M. Guerra, 39, who was reported missing by her brother when he had not heard from her in weeks, wasfound lifeless inside a freezerin her Icon Norfolk Apartments home on East Main Street on 5 February, perPeople. Guerra's death was ruled a homicide after the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy.
Norfolk Police then charged Guerra's husband, David Varela, with first-degree murder, though detectives of the case have yet to reveal the suspect's motive, or the circumstances leading to the incident, according to a Norfolk policestatementissued on 12 February. Varela is reportedly on the run, with authorities alleging he has flown out of the country.
In an interview, Guerra's relatives in Colombia toldNews 3that Varela lied to them about her whereabouts before her disappearance, staging a false detention, and even sending them a photo of the victim in an orange jumpsuit.
He had told them she was being held on shoplifting charges and said he was extremely worried about her.
However, authorities found no record of Guerra's incarceration or any shoplifting reports. Paola Ramirez, Guerra's sister-in-law who is currently residing in Colombia, said Varela was a suspicious husband who didn't allow her to work, have friends, study, or go out alone.
She told News 3, 'I want to emphasise that there had been violence before from David. He had hit her previously, but she didn't tell us because she didn't want to worry us.'
Ramirez also said that they didn't expect an incident this terrible to happen, given Varela's calm and religious demeanour. The victim was described by her family as 'empathetic, loving, and always worried about others.' Ramirez said, 'Lina was the pillar of our family. She put others above herself. She was very loved and adventurous, hardworking, very humble.'
Elizabeth Echavarria, the victim's aunt, told the press, overcome with grief in this ordeal, 'It's awful he took my little girl away.'
It was later confirmed by Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney Ramin Fatehi that aside from the charges Varela is facing, which are first-degree murder and concealing a dead body, he's also facing charges for fleeing.
Source: International Business Times UK
