Salvadoran family dead under mysterious circumstances

An absolutely disheartening tale out of a suburban town near Washington, DC where a Salvadoran father may have killed his four children before hanging himself. The kids- ages 9, 4, 3, and 1 year old- where found in their beds dead of unknown causes.

The press is painting the portrait of an immigrant family trying to live the “American dream” with Pedro Rodriguez and Deysi Benitez working odd jobs for nearly 7 years in order to provide a future for their children. Neighbors of the family praised them and considered them as very “nice”.

Yet behind closed doors, Rodriguez slapped and attacked Benitez on several occasions according to her sister. Benitez herself has been missing since police found the dead bodies; her whereabouts are unknown though the Salvadoran consul in Washington taped a video begging for her to contact him.

It’s premature to blame domestic violence for what occurred, but it is important to emphasize that victims should need not be afraid to denounce if it happens. If you are a victim in the U.S. please do not hesitate to call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.

Si usted eres una victima de violencia domestica en los Estados Unidos puedes llamar al National Domestic Violence Hotline donde un consejero te pueda ayudar. El numero de telefono es 1-800-799-7233.

Links- Houston Chronicle, Guardian UK, International Herald Tribune, WBAL, National Domestic Violence Hotline, National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence, Waynesboro Record Herald

Image- Waynesboro Record Herald (Police at the home of Pedro Rodriguez and Deysi Benitez on Monday)