SANTO DOMINGO ESTE, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – MAY 13, 2026 Tragic case of femicide occurred in which 33- to 36-year-old (sources differ) Esmeralda Moronta de los Santos was shot and killed. Her killer was her former partner, 48-year-old Omar Tejeda Guzmán, who committed suicide after the attack.
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- Esmeralda Moronta de los Santos
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- Omar Tejeda Guzmán
The attack took place in the afternoon in the Alma Rosa I area. According to investigators, the man followed the woman along Puerto Rico Street until she reached a local store, where Esmeralda attempted to hide. However, the attacker caught up with her inside and fired several shots at her with a 9 mm pistol. He then turned the same weapon on himself.
The case attracted significant attention in the Dominican Republic, mainly because of the circumstances that preceded the murder. Shortly before the attack, Esmeralda had visited authorities, where she reported alleged harassment by her former partner. According to released information, she claimed that after the end of their relationship, the man continued contacting her, tracking her movements, and monitoring her using a GPS device. She also requested protective measures and a restraining order.
According to preliminary information, she left the department responsible for handling gender-based and domestic violence cases together with a friend. Shortly afterward, she allegedly noticed that her former partner was following her. In an attempt to save herself, she began running and searched for shelter in a nearby store, where the man followed her.
The victim’s family stated that Esmeralda never appeared to those around her as someone facing serious danger. Her sister Ámbar Moronta said the family had no idea that her former partner was violent. The case has once again reopened the discussion that perpetrators of domestic violence may appear calm on the outside while displaying controlling or aggressive behavior in private.
MORE PHOTOS OF ESMERALDA:
If you’re thinking about suicide, please stop and recognize that your pain is not permanent, but this step would be. It may feel like there’s no other way, but there is hope, even if it’s hard to see right now. Your feelings are temporary, and with help, they can pass.
Talking about what you're going through might feel difficult, but it’s the first step toward healing. Don’t turn away from the people who want to support you. Life can offer more than what you're feeling right now, and the pain doesn't have to last forever. You deserve help, and it’s available.
If you need immediate help, please contact a helpline.
