A 16-year-old girl, Yenifer Vargas Gómez, who was stabbed by her ex-boyfriend in Santiago de Cuba on Tuesday, passed away later that night, confirmed journalist Yosmany Mayeta on social media, citing family testimony.
Vargas Gómez was initially admitted to the Frank País Polyclinic before being urgently transferred to the Dr. Antonio María Béguez César South Pediatric Hospital, commonly known as "La Colonia," where she ultimately succumbed to her injuries.
The young girl experienced multiple cardiac and respiratory arrests while in intensive care, complications arising from the stab wounds she sustained to various parts of her body and head. Her family was gathered outside the hospital when she passed.
The cause of death was identified as hypovolemic shock, left lung tear, and penetrating stab wounds to the left shoulder area, all resulting from a knife attack.
Yenifer's remains are being held at the Santiago Funeral Home, in room E on the first floor. She was a tenth-grade student at the Rafael María de Mendive Pre-University Institute. A Facebook post from the school encouraged students to attend the wake.
A family member at the wake mentioned that there were many people present, as well as plainclothes police officers.
The alleged assailant, Fabio Lamar Vigaud, fled after committing the crime but was apprehended around 7 PM on Tuesday at his aunt’s house in the town of San Juan. Family members of the deceased teenager revealed to Mayeta that Yenifer and Fabio were no longer in a relationship and that the family had previously filed multiple police reports about threats made by Fabio.
"About a month ago, we went to Micro 9 to file a report because he had threatened to kill her. The police didn’t act or do anything. My husband even went to the police, and the report we filed never appeared," a close family member, who requested anonymity, stated.
Yenifer was stabbed by her ex-boyfriend in the home where she lived with her grandmother, in the Nuevo Vista Alegre neighborhood of Santiago de Cuba. A patrol car was stationed outside the hospital while the alleged perpetrator was on the run.
Last year in Cuba, 110 individuals were prosecuted for femicide—a term the island's authorities refuse to use—along with 378 cases of sexual violence in 2023, and several women suffered injuries following attacks by their former partners.
Key Questions About the Tragic Incident in Santiago de Cuba
In light of this tragic event, several questions arise concerning the incident, legal actions, and preventative measures. Below are answers to some of the most pressing queries.
What were the immediate medical steps taken for Yenifer Vargas Gómez?
Yenifer Vargas Gómez was first admitted to the Frank País Polyclinic and then urgently transferred to the Dr. Antonio María Béguez César South Pediatric Hospital, where she received intensive care but ultimately succumbed to her injuries.
Who is the alleged attacker, and what actions were taken to apprehend him?
The alleged attacker is Fabio Lamar Vigaud. He fled after the crime but was captured around 7 PM on Tuesday at his aunt’s house in San Juan.
Had there been previous police reports about threats made by Fabio Lamar Vigaud?
Yes, Yenifer's family had filed multiple reports about threats made by Fabio Lamar Vigaud, but the police did not take any action.
What has been the response from the community and authorities?
The community is deeply affected, with many attending Yenifer's wake. Authorities have been criticized for their lack of action on previous threats reported by the family.