Claribel de Jesús’ family demands justice after two years of judicial delays
More than two years after the tragic passing of Claribel de Jesús, her family members have raised their voices to denounce the judicial paralysis surrounding her case. In a recent appearance on Alofoke Deportes, the victim’s parents and husband expressed their frustration with what they describe as a stalled process, marked by constant postponements that prevent reaching a final verdict.
The incident occurred on June 24, 2024, in Villa Altagracia, when Claribel was traveling on a motorcycle with her husband, Nathanael Valdepina. According to Valdepina’s testimony, the couple was intercepted by four individuals on motorcycles who, after attempting to rob them and threatening them with firearms, caused them to lose control of the vehicle. The young woman suffered critical injuries that caused her death after spending 12 days in intensive care.
When they hit my engine I lost control and fell to the pavement. That is where Claribel fell.
Nathanael Valdepina, husband of the victim.
A judicial process marked by uncertainty
Ramón Antonio de Jesús, father of the deceased young woman, detailed that for the last 25 months he has tirelessly attended the Prosecutor’s Office and hearings without obtaining clear answers. The father lamented that the case is being affected by an endless chain of postponements, complicating the goal of having those responsible receive the maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
- Process status: The family reports that, despite the evidence, the trial is failing to move forward.
- Involved parties: Currently, there are two people in custody, while two other alleged participants remain not fully identified by the authorities.
- Irregularities: The family members point out that they have suffered hearing postponements without prior notice, hindering their participation in the process.
Reports of threats and political pressure
The case has taken a worrying turn following the statements of Claribel’s father, who reported pressure from a local political leader identified as Daniel Miguel. According to the account, the leader allegedly tried to influence the family’s version of the attackers’ identities, suggesting that the people pointed out by the victim’s husband were not the ones responsible. These actions, added to alleged threats against his son, forced the family to take additional security measures.
The demand for an institutional response
During the broadcast, audiovisual evidence was presented which, according to the family, shows the surveillance carried out by the suspects on the day of the crime. Given this, an urgent call was made to the Dominican judicial system to prioritize this case and prevent impunity from eroding public trust in the institutions.
I ask you, please, to seek justice for my daughter. They stole my life.
María de León Ramos, mother of Claribel.
Claribel de Jesús’ family insists that their only intention is for the law to be applied and for the effort to find justice not to continue to be diluted over time. The call remains open for the competent authorities to resume the case with the speed that a family’s pain demands.
