What began as a call about an unresponsive woman at a downtown guesthouse quickly turned into a homicide investigation that ended with the arrest of her estranged husband.
Police said 42-year-old Maireni Heredia Tiburcio was found shot in the upper body late Friday morning at the Galleon House. Officers arrived after a 911 call at 11:48 a.m. and discovered Tiburcio unresponsive. Emergency medical technicians pronounced her dead at 12:26 p.m.
Investigators later identified the suspected gunman as 54-year-old Tizoni A. Mahoney, Tiburcio’s estranged husband. He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, according a Virgin Islands Police Department release sent Monday night. Mahoney is awaiting his advice of rights hearing.
The shooting adds to mounting concerns about domestic violence in the territory, a pattern that advocates say often escalates when relationships break apart. Authorities have not released details on what led to the confrontation inside the guesthouse.
Police are urging anyone with additional information to call the CIB Major Crimes Division at 340-714-9823, 340-714-9828, or 340-714-9829, contact the VIPD at 340-774-2211, or reach out via WhatsApp at 340-642-8449. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
