Honduran authorities identify suspects in killing of community leader

Authorities in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, have identified seven suspects involved in the January 2026 assassination of Karla Patricia Vigil Murillo, vice president of the Arenales Número Dos community board. Investigations by the Dirección Policial de Investigaciones (DPI) suggest that 70,000 lempiras were paid to facilitate the killing at Vigil's food business.

Key suspects include Kevin Eduardo Ramírez Lemus, identified as the alleged gunman, and Erick Matute Rodríguez, who is accused of participating in the hiring of the executioner. Gloria Judith Hernández Zelaya, known as ‘La Bambi’, is linked to identifying the victim and facilitating the attacker's access to the location. Additionally, Santos Petronila Laínez Perdomoy and Alba Leticia Elvir Perdomo have been identified as the alleged intellectual authors of the crime and are currently held in preventive detention.

The Ministry of Public Affairs suggests the motive may be linked to conflicts regarding community leadership and land titling in the Arenales Número Dos area. Two suspects remain at large.