In wake of Salinas femicide, mayor spotlights victim assistance program

Salinas Mayor Karilyn Bonilla Colón

By The Star Staff

In response to a femicide reported late last week, Salinas Mayor Karilyn Bonilla Colón reiterated on Saturday that the Office of Integrated Victim Services, which houses the municipal “You Are Worth It” program, is located at 28 Monserrate Street in the city center and is offering services. “We deeply regret the death of another woman due to gender-based violence, and we extend our condolences to her entire family who are suffering the loss of a young mother,” the mayor said in a written statement. “We once again remind all citizens that the Municipality is ready to help, educate, and defend.”

“Our Municipal Administration has stated that women and men must enjoy equal opportunities, capabilities, power, and knowledge, as equal citizens,” Bonilla Colón added. “As part of the Community Relations Division of our Municipal Police, we have implemented the ‘You Are Worth It’ program since 2014, an effort to provide integrated services to victims of gender-based violence and boldly contribute to eradicating gender-based violence in our community.”

Salinas’ Office of Integrated Services for Victims offers various assistance options in collaboration with the Office of the Women’s Advocate, non-profit organizations, the Courts Administration and the Police Bureau. It also integrates municipal agencies to channel any municipal or state services. Among the organizations participating in the project are the Peace for Women Coordinator, the Hogar Nueva Mujer and the Puerto Rico Shelter Network.

The group is composed of Program Coordinator Sgt. Ismarie Cruz, whose responsibilities include providing victim assistance and monitoring and surveillance plans; a legal advocate in charge of the victims’ legal process and providing court support; and a psychologist who provides personalized therapy to participants and family members of victims of gender-based violence and sexual assault. The office offers 100% confidentiality in its services and has a 24/7 hotline at 939-254-3139.

A femicide, suicide, and aggravated assault were reported at around 9:37 p.m. last Thursday on Baldorioty de Castro Street, in front of the post office in Salinas.

According to the police report, a call to the 911 Emergency System alerted police to gunshot wounds at the scene. Upon arrival, they found the bodies of 29-year-old Linda Ledee Díaz, who suffered a gunshot wound that caused instant death, and 38-year-old Emmanuel Colón Díaz, who died at the scene.

In addition, Ledee Díaz’s 53-year-old mother suffered gunshot wounds to multiple areas of her body. The woman was transported to a hospital and referred to the Rio Piedras Medical Center in stable condition.

Colón Díaz had a criminal record for previous Law 54 cases.