Cristina Siekavizza

Cristina Siekavizza
Born (1977-12-09) 9 December 1977
Guatemala City, Guatemala
Disappeared July 7, 2011 (aged 33)
Guatemala City
Status Missing for 7 years, 3 months and 8 days
Occupation Housewife
Spouse(s) Roberto Eduardo Barreda de Leon
Children 2

Cristina Siekavizza Molina (born December 9, 1977) is a Guatemala City mother of two children whose disappearance and possible murder by her husband early in July 2011 resulted in an extensive national news coverage focused on the connected issues of femicide and impunity.

Investigations

The case was originally thought to be a kidnapping, and private investigators were hired to solve the case.[1] After several weeks passed without a call from the alleged kidnappers, the case was turned over to the Guatemalan police. As the police began to investigate, they found incriminating evidence (traces of blood in the house) against Cristina's husband, Roberto Barreda de León. A housekeeper testified that there had been a violent domestic quarrel the evening before the woman's disappearance and that she had seen her lifeless body lying in one of the rooms.[2]

Prosecution of the husband

In early August, before the housekeeper could even testify and while the search for Cristina was still going on, Roberto Barreda suddenly disappeared with the family's two children, Roberto José (age 7) and Maria Mercedes (age 4).[3] An international warrant was issued for his arrest.[4] In the meantime, three persons were arrested on the suspicion of having aided the husband in removing the traces of the crime.[5] On 21 October 2011, Roberto Barreda's mother, Beatriz Ofelia de León, ex-magistrate of the Supreme Court of Guatemala, was arrested for corruption of justice in the Siekavizza case.[6] Roberto Barreda was finally caught in Mérida, Yucatán (Mexico) and extradited on 8 November 2013. Since then, his lawyers have consistently attempted to obstruct the course of justice, so that seven years after Cristina's disappearance, the process is still to begin, with the husband remaining in custody.

Public protests against femicide

Cristina's disappearance, and possible murder, have moved Guatemalans to demand justice against a growing epidemic of femicide happening in their country. Cristina's family has organized marches throughout Guatemala City (Obelisco, Avenida Las Américas, carretera an El Salvador and Vista Hermosa) to support victims of domestic violence.[7] Cristina Siekavizza's case has dominated the Guatemalan press since news of her disappearance went public.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Denuncian desaparición de joven en San José Pinula Archived 25 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine.. Prensalibre.com. Retrieved on 2011-11-02.
  2. ↑ http://www.prensalibre.com/hemeroteca/caso-siekavizza-cuatro-aos-de-angustia
  3. ↑ CNN – Guatemalan Family Disappears. 30 September 2011
  4. ↑ Wanted Persons / Internet / Home – INTERPOL. Interpol.int (1976-08-31). Retrieved on 2011-11-02.
  5. ↑ http://www.prensalibre.com/hemeroteca/caso-siekavizza-cuatro-aos-de-angustia
  6. ↑ Exmagistrada Ofelia de León pasa la noche en carceleta Archived 24 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine.. Prensalibre.com. Retrieved on 2011-11-02.
  7. ↑ Protestan en apoyo a víctimas de violencia Archived 25 November 2011 at the Wayback Machine.. Prensalibre.com (2011-07-25). Retrieved on 2011-11-02.
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