Guatemala: Attackers Murder Family of Girl Killed in 'Virgen de la Asuncion' Shelter Fire

The family of one of the girls killed during the fire in the shelter Virgen de la Asuncion was murdered in Peten, northern Guatemala.

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Gloria Perez y Perez de Leon, her husband Nery Orlando Leon Gudiel and their daughter Nury Leon Perez were murdered in El Limon neighborhood, Saxayche municipality on June 6.

Nury had survived the fire that took the life of her sister Yodenis Leon Perez along with 41 other girls in San Jose de Pinula on March 8, 2017.

Since then, the Women Transforming the World organization has been providing legal help for the family and demanding justice for the deaths. The motive of the crime has not yet been established according to authorities. Media reports say the family had been moved into that neighborhood about three months ago.

“We regret, condemn and demand justice for the massacre of this family in Peten, which we represented during the legal process on the Virgen de la Asuncion Shelter Home case.”

A group of 56 girls had been locked up in a room after dozens of residents had attempted to escape from the overcrowded home amid a strike over mistreatment. After the fire broke out, and despite calls for help, authorities did not open the door as flames engulfed the shelter.

Unable to flee from the blaze, 41 of the girls burned to death and 15 more were seriously injured, sparking national and international outcry and series of protests to call attention to the crisis of government negligence and demand that staff at the state-run Virgen de la Asuncion shelter and state authorities be held accountable for the fatal fire.

Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales acknowledged the responsibility of the state in the tragic fire, and Guatemala's top prosecutor charged three former officials with wrongful death, breach of duties and mistreatment of minors.