Island’s 8th femicide this year, followed by perpetrator’s suicide, reported in Hatillo

By The Star Staff

In the early hours of Wednesday morning, a case of femicide followed by suicide was reported in a residence in Hatillo’s Vázquez sector, in the Buena Vista neighborhood, according to the Puerto Rico Police Bureau.

According to the authorities, the bodies of Eliset Torres Román, 51, and her partner Javier Soto Ruiz, 56, were found in a room of the residence. Torres Román had gunshot wounds, while Soto Ruiz took his life. A Taurus 9-millimeter caliber pistol was seized at the scene, for which Soto Ruiz had a license.

The case is being investigated by agent Obed Mercado, assigned to the Homicide Division of the Criminal Investigations Corps (CIC) of Arecibo, under the supervision of Lt. Francheska Barreto Ayende, and in coordination with prosecutors Ernesto Cabrera Lorenzo and Loures E. López Lugo.

Hatillo Mayor Carlos Román Román said “[t]he situation recorded this morning where a municipal employee of Public Works allegedly took his life and before did the same with his wife is an unfortunate and sad fact.”

“Hatillo is in mourning for what happened,” the mayor said. “I share the pain of both families and inform them that municipal personnel are taking steps to provide them with the support and help they need to face the unfortunate event.”

Dr. Catherine Oliver Franco, who heads the Mental Health and Anti-Addiction Services Administration (ASSMCA), said she deeply regretted the crime. She noted that clinical personnel from the agency were activated to provide crisis intervention, trauma management and psychosocial support to family members, neighbors and people close to both the victim and the perpetrator.

The ASSMCA’s PAS Line is available 24/7 confidentially through 1-800-981-0023, 9-8-8, VRS service for the hearing-impaired at 787-615-4112 and online chat on lineapas.assmca.pr.gov.