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Under a clear sky and with candles illuminating the night, members of the Cuban community in San Antonio, Texas, gathered to pay tribute to Mariadelis Labrador Siles, a 28-year-old Cuban woman whose body was found deceased weeks after she vanished under circumstances that continue to raise more questions than answers.
Mariadelis disappeared on March 10 after leaving her home without her mobile phone or wallet. Two days later, her body was found in a wooded area near Braun Road and Mustang Ranch, in the northwest part of Bexar County.
According to the coroner's report, the cause of death was a stab wound to the chest. Although it was initially unclear whether it was a suicide or a homicide, the authorities of Bexar County officially ruled her death as a suicide following an investigation.
The vigil, organized by the local Cuban community, took place in the area where Mariadelis lived. Unlike other tributes where direct family members are usually the main organizers, on this occasion, many people who didn't personally know the young woman participated. They learned about the case through the media and felt compelled to honor her memory.
Facebook Capture/Urbana Rodríguez
Purple dresses —Mariadelis's favorite color— the attendees lit candles, placed flowers, and prayed in silence. “We can't believe that a 28-year-old woman would just do that”, commented one of those present.
Meidys Cristina Guerra Venereo, Mariadelis's political cousin and close confidante, shared her doubts about the official version. “We have been told that there is no evidence of her walking alone on the sidewalk. I have thought many things. I mean, if it was someone who grabbed her, if they were already watching her, if they knew what she was doing... but I don't even know what to think,” she declared with evident distress.
According to comments, Mariadelis arrived in the United States on January 9, without specifying the exact year, and has lived in San Antonio since then. The family, deeply affected by the news, “has no life,” Guerra Venereo assured. “They will never recover from this because they were a very close-knit family”.
A campaign on GoFundMe raised over $13,000 to cover funeral expenses and repatriate her body to Cuba.
The local Cuban community has assured that they will not let Mariadelis's case be forgotten. They plan to hold monthly vigils and have already announced a forthcoming gathering on November 27, the date when the young woman would have celebrated her birthday. "Everyone is invited to honor her memory," they stated.
Meanwhile, the questions remain unanswered. Family and close friends insist that they will not rest until the truth about what happened is known and demand that the authorities reopen the investigation with transparency and sensitivity.
Frequently Asked Questions about the case of Mariadelis Labrador Siles
What was the cause of death of Mariadelis Labrador Siles?
Mariadelis Labrador Siles died from a stab wound to the chest. Initially, it was unclear whether it was a suicide or a homicide, but the authorities in Bexar County ruled her death a suicide after an investigation.
How has the Cuban community in Texas responded to Mariadelis' death?
The Cuban community in Texas has shown great solidarity and has organized vigils in honor of Mariadelis. Dressed in purple, Mariadelis's favorite color, attendees have lit candles and prayed in silence. Additionally, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched that has raised over $13,000 to cover funeral expenses and repatriate her body to Cuba.
What actions are being taken to clarify the death of Mariadelis Labrador?
The authorities have requested the community's cooperation to gather more information about the case. Any video recordings from March 10 that could assist in the investigation have been requested. The community and Mariadelis's family continue to demand that the authorities reopen the investigation with transparency and sensitivity.
What doubts do family and friends have about the official version of Mariadelis's death?
Family and friends of Mariadelis have expressed doubts about the possibility that her death was a suicide. They claim that there is no clear evidence that she walked alone to the location where she was found and suspect that someone may have been watching her. The community insists that they will not rest until the truth of what happened is known.
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