Women’s rights activist beaten to death by ex weeks after posting ‘I was born to be free, not murdered’
A WOMEN'S right activist was killed by her ex-partner just weeks after posting "I want to be free, not murdered" on social media, according to reports.
Gabriela Abigail Cruz, 24, was murdered in Sal Salvador de Jujuy, north west Argentina on October 6.
In September, Gabriela had posted a message on Facebook along with a photo of herself and a message condemning domestic violence saying: "I was born to be free, not murdered."
She had also written: "We want each other alive, free and without fear."
After the discovery of her body, the post went viral and the local press repeated the 24-year-old's message.
Police have confirmed that her ex-partner Matias Figueroa confessed to having murdered her after she had been missing for a week, local media reports.
Gabriela's body was found on Thursday and an autopsy indicated that she died of a massive head trauma, it's reported.
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It appears that Gabriela had left home to go shopping and had met her ex who was the father of one of her children, according to local media.
It's reported that the pair started arguing and after losing his temper, the man hit her in the head.
The blow killed Gabriela and he reportedly tried to hide the body but eventually confessed.
How you can get help
Women's Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
- Always keep your phone nearby.
- Get in touch with charities for help, including the Women’s Aid live chat helpline and services such as SupportLine.
- If you are in danger, call 999.
- Familiarise yourself with the Silent Solution, reporting abuse without speaking down the phone, instead dialing “55”.
- Always keep some money on you, including change for a pay phone or bus fare.
- If you suspect your partner is about to attack you, try to go to a lower-risk area of the house – for example, where there is a way out and access to a telephone.
- Avoid the kitchen and garage, where there are likely to be knives or other weapons. Avoid rooms where you might become trapped, such as the bathroom, or where you might be shut into a cupboard or other small space.
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – [email protected].
Women’s Aid provides a . from 10am to noon.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
