A young mother was allegedly suffocated to death by her convicted murderer partner during a visit to conjugal prison.
Gisella Pérez Gaspar, 27, is believed to have been murdered by Cristian Alexis Rivas Sánchez, 26, at a high-security prison in Palmira, Valle del Cauca department, Colombia, on Sunday during a visit to see her partner. .
An alarm went off three hours after Gaspar entered the prison, authorities sent to respond to reports of “physical assault” in the prison yard.
Doctors were called to help Gaspar at the prison health center, but they could only determine that he no longer had vital signs.
Authorities later said she died due to the severity of her head injuries.
Her partner, currently in prison for murder, arms trafficking and conspiracy, is accused of having suffocated her.
Following news of his death, Gaspar was reported to have written heartbreaking messages on social media emphasizing how they would “get through this” together after his incarceration, adding: “You know I am… loyal, even beyond death.” .
“No matter where you are, I will be with you until the end,” reads a message superimposed on a photo of the couple.
Gaspar leaves behind a three-year-old daughter after his death in prison in Colombia
‘A gunshot is heard, the community arrives, this young woman is taken to a medical center, but due to the severity of the wound, which was to the head, she died,’ said Colonel Carlos Germán Oviedo, commander of the Cali Police. .
Sánchez is now expected to be charged with femicide.
Gisella leaves behind a three-year-old daughter, but it is unclear if the suspect is the girl’s biological father.
Gisella had written on social media in February, shortly after Sánchez was imprisoned in Palmira, Colombia: “My love, I want you to know that I love you.
‘I’ll be there for you. These are just tests, my love.
‘I know that by trusting in God we will overcome this and much more. Just have some patience.
‘Remember, I will always be there for you in the good times, the bad times and even the worst. I know that you and I can do it, don’t let yourself be defeated my love.
‘Remember, we are waiting for you, my love. You know you are my love. You know that I am firm, real and loyal, even beyond death.
Palmira official William Andrey Espinosa said: ‘We deplore the incident that occurred inside the Villa de las Palmas Penitentiary Center, where this 27-year-old woman was murdered by her own partner.
“We have asked the authorities, especially the Public Ministry, to investigate.”
Reports of feminicide in the region have increased in recent years.
Cali officials met earlier this year to discuss possible preventative policies aimed at addressing violence against women, and 10 femicides were reported in 2023 alone.
‘We have seven femicides and four more cases to be classified, including the case that unfortunately occurred yesterday in the city of Palmira,’ saying Yurani Andrea Ordóñez, Secretary of Women, Gender Equality and Sexual Diversity of the department of Valle del Cauca.
An undated image shows Gaspar with his partner Sánchez.
‘I know that by trusting in God we will overcome this and much more. Just have a little patience,’ Gaspar had written in messages shared on social networks.
Violence against women in Colombia has seen a dramatic increase in recent years.
Between 2019 and 2020, the number of complaints increased from 571 to 630.
In 2022 alone, 612 more were notified.
Femicide is defined as the murder of women because of their gender.
The lack of resources, high levels of impunity and cultural discrimination have been He suggested as reasons for the continuation of the trend.