A married couple was shot dead early this Sunday morning in the municipal district of Tireo, in the municipality of Constanza, La Vega province. The incident has shaken the area and is already being investigated by the authorities.
Victims’ identities and details of the attack
The victims have been identified as Luis Manuel Batista, a 55-year-old agricultural businessman, and his wife María Magdalena Páez Jerez, 35 years old. According to preliminary information, the married couple was arriving at their home in a vehicle when they were ambushed by attackers hiding among bushes near the carport. The unidentified individuals opened fire on them and fled in the victims’ own car.
Immediate response by authorities in Tireo, Constanza
Ongoing investigation
Members of the National Police, the Public Ministry, and agents from the Central Directorate of Criminal Investigations (Dicrim) arrived at the scene. They cordoned off the area, collected evidence, and are reviewing security cameras to identify those responsible for the attack against the married couple. The forensic doctor recovered the bodies in the presence of prosecutors and forensics experts.
Context of violence in the region
Constanza, known for its agricultural production, has seen an increase in violent incidents. In 2025, La Vega province reported more than 150 homicides, according to data from the Citizen Security Observatory, many linked to territorial disputes or contract killings. This double homicide in Tireo, Constanza could fit that pattern, although authorities are not ruling out personal motives. Criminology experts highlight the need for a greater police presence in rural areas to prevent ambushes like this one against the married couple.
- Attackers hidden in bushes waited for the married couple.
- They fled in the victims’ vehicle.
- Cameras and ballistic evidence are being investigated.
The community of Tireo, Constanza is demanding swift answers. This case highlights the vulnerability in remote areas, where a married couple like Luis Manuel Batista and María Magdalena Páez Jerez lost their lives in a brutal manner.