Murdered anti-corruption officer Sherill Yubissa Hernandez (via Facebook)The shooting death of a newly appointed Honduran anti-corruption investigator was murder and not suicide, the country’s director of forensic medicine said Monday.
Sherill Yubissa Hernandez, 29, was found dead in her apartment from gunshot wounds on June 10.
She had been appointed two weeks earlier to lead an anti-corruption commission within the national Criminal Investigation Technical Agency.
She was based in Copan, near the border with Guatemala. The region is known for its drug gangs.
Initial reports from Hernandez’s agency said she committed suicide.
But the Director of Forensic Medicine for Honduras, Julissa Villanueva, told Telesur news that forensic evidence showed Hernandez was murdered.
“The ruling says it is a homicide and not a suicide,” Villanueva said Monday.
There was no forced entry into Hernandez’s apartment, neighbors said. Her family told reporters she was happy about her new job.
Villanueva and her forensic team have received death threats “for presenting the evidence that shows that Hernandez was murdered,” Telesur said.
“I’m sorry that there are those who want to discredit the scientific forensic evidence,” Villanueva said.
La Prensa reported on June 26 that the U.S. FBI was helping investigate Hernandez’s death.
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Richard L. Cassin is the publisher and editor of the FCPA Blog.
2 Comments
Wow. How very sad. A beautiful young lady who no doubt had a sincere heart to bring change to her community, to make it a healthy, thriving place for all. She very well could have been the change that made the difference, with many years ahead of her. We can only hope that those who knew and loved her, respected and admired her, will join together to make that difference. Sorry for your loss Honduras.
The USA refuses to take any responsibility for tragedy of drug gangs in Central America and Mexico, and this is another example of the consequence. Either we legalize drug use – the core of the corruption in these countries – or we subsidize the murder of journalists and honest public servants. We could also show some compassion for the poor souls who are seeking asylum at our border.
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