A mayor in western Colombia died Friday as a result of gunshot wounds allegedly inflicted on her by her former husband, reported national media.
Marisol Manrique, the mayor of the Norcasia municipality in the western state of Caldas, was reportedly embroiled in a heated argument Thursday night with her ex-husband, Leonardo Grisales. She passed away early Friday morning from three gunshot wounds, including one to her head, according to the El Espectador newspaper.
Shortly after the altercation, Grisales apparently committed suicide.
Manrique, still alive when police arrived on the scene, went into cardiac arrest while being transferred to a hospital in Bogota and was pronounced dead at 2 am.
According to Caldas Government Secretary Jorge Andrés, Manrique had not received any form of death threats prior to the incident.
“Last night (Thurday) the Caldas Police Commander informed me of what happened and I was surprised, as her former husband did not make any threats beforehand,” said Andres. The Governor’s Office will now reportedly fill Marinque’s seat with an interim mayor until elections can be held.
According Caracol, the local authorities suspect that Grisales’ motive for the attack stems from his refusal to accept separation from Manrique.
MORE: Violence against women in Colombia fueled by machismo culture and ‘institutional weakness’
The 32-year-old Manrique was the mother of two girls, three and 15 years of age, respectively.
Sources
- Muere la alcaldesa de Norcasia, tras brutal ataque de su exesposo (El Espectador)
- Asesinan a la alcaldesa de Norcasia en Caldas (Semana)
- Murió alcaldesa de Norcasia víctima de atentado por parte de su exesposo (Caracol Radio)
