Tarija femicide case: 37‑year‑old woman dies after assault by partner

Melani P. I. M., a 37‑year‑old resident of Tarija, Bolivia, was violently beaten by her 52‑year‑old partner Orlando L. B. N. on 23 May. She was taken to Hospital Regional San Juan de Dios and placed in intensive care, but succumbed on 26 May at about 23:00 from a traumatic brain injury.

The Departmental Prosecutor, José Ernesto Mogro Palacios, announced that the Public Ministry opened a homicide investigation immediately, deploying a Multidisciplinary Team of the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Crimes against Life. The case was first filed as attempted femicide; after the victim’s death it was reclassified to femicide. Orlando L. B. N. was placed in preventive detention at the Morros Blancos prison.

Mogro said, “Como Ministerio Público se dispuso de manera inmediata el inicio de la investigación y el despliegue del Equipo Multidisciplinario de la Fiscalía Especializada en Delitos contra la Vida para realizar todos los actos investigativos necesarios que permitan esclarecer este lamentable hecho y determinar las responsabilidades conforme a ley.”