SAN JUAN, Stann Creek District, Mon. Nov. 26, 2018– On Friday, November 23, 23-year-old Isela Cano, a Honduran national of San Juan village, was charged with manslaughter for the death of her sister, 26-year-old Keidi Ramirez, who died in Independence village after her feet and hands were bound in an effort to restrain her.

Ramirez’s parents had also been detained, but were later released; only Cano, her sister, was charged. After taking statements from the family, the police submitted those statements to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), who advised them to charge Cano with manslaughter and not murder, as there was not enough evidence to support a murder charge.

On Tuesday, November 20, Ramirez was socializing with her family around 4:30 p.m. when she got into an argument with them. She was reportedly intoxicated and had to be restrained. Later, she was found unresponsive and was rushed to the Independence Polyclinic where she died. Doctors had pointed out to police that there were injuries to Ramirez’s hands, feet, and neck which seemed to indicate that she had been tied up.

Although police did not confirm whether or not Ramirez was gagged, it is widely speculated that she was, and that Cano was the one who did it. It is believed that Cano gagged Ramirez, and this caused her death.  Results from an autopsy on Ramirez’s body are yet to be released.