7 News Belize

Mother Of Two Slain Sons Demands Justice
posted (April 5, 2016)
Rene Chavarria also known as "Fat Cat," was murdered ON MARCH 18th, 2016. His brother Jamie was killed on March 30th, 2015. That's two Chavarria brothers killed within a year and no one has been charged for either of the murders.

Today for the first time since the two Chavarria brothers were killed, the mother of the victims is finally coming out publicly - but not to express her grief. It's more like rage. Emily Gabourel says the police let her down. She bashed police investigators for what she takes to be a lack of interest in her sons' murders, and the lack of professionalism in handling her mourning family. Here is what she had to say.

Emily Gabourel, mother of "Fat Cat"
"They are dragging their feet with everything, because when my son died and my daughter-in-law was out there, they laughed - the police laughed and it's not a dog that had died. I am speaking on behalf of all the mothers of Belize that have sons that died. Maybe you don't want to speak up, but I will speak up. I feel pain, I back my son for 9 months and Mr. Broaster - no police come at my house yet and say Miss Gabourel this or Miss Gabourel that of Miss Gabourel the other. What I don't like that Mr. Broaster says that my son was the leader of Rocky Road gang. My son wasnt a leader. Rocky Road doesn't have a gang as far as I know. If my son was a leader he would have had it good; his girlfriend would have been driving a nice car, he would have had a nice house. My son still living with me."

Emanuel Pech
"If your son wasn't involved in like illicit activity like that, what the police have against your son?"

Emily Gabourel, mother of "Fat Cat"
"I don't know what they have against your son. I don't know. I have food at my house, I feed a lot of people and I help out a lot of people. I am not rich, but I help out a lot of people and I raise my son the proper way. My son is a very nice son, he tries to help out a lot of people, just like me. That's the way they are very kind and thing."

"I am not saying he is an angel. The police they caused their death, because everything - "oh it's the Chavarria's." There is lots of information people can give them and I think they need to further the investigation in my son's death, because I won't leave it like that. He is not a dog and Mr. Broaster needs to remove from Ladyville. He is not doing his job."

Now those are some strong words for the Assistant Commissioner of Police Edward Broaster, who commands the entire Belize Rural Division. We could not get a comment today from the commander himself, as he is currently out on personal leave. But we were able to speak with the second in command at the Ladyville police station. He told us that they are lacking physical evidence to pin known suspects to the murder. And with regards to the ID parade, which they were hoping would positively identify at least one of the persons involved, that fell apart due to unwilling witnesses. However the deputy commander assured us that they are doing all they can to zero in on the case, despite the family's perception that they are "dragging their feet."

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