He then discovered human remains, apparently of a female, partially buried in a shallow grave. The worker reported his gruesome discovery to the OIJ, who removed a corpse in advanced state of decomposition, and took it directly to the morgue for further study. The corpse was that of someone also employed on the finca, that of Melania Calvo Viquez, 33 years old. Her alleged lover, American Andrew Roy Willis, 44 years old, was charged with her murder. He remained in Preventive Detention until Friday, when he was sentenced to twenty years for the crime of homicide.
Neighbors reported that the couple had a “difficult” relationship, involving many loud and violent fights. They suspected that Calvo was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her lover Willis. Calvo was from Turialba, divorced, with a 12 year old daughter. Neighbors heard that the couple were crack users, which led to their tumultuous relationship, but those accusations were never confirmed by authorities. This is the first murder case of 2019 where the murderer was American, and the victim Costa Rican. Calvo’s body revealed signs of trauma to her neck area, but no gunshot wounds. The OIJ discovered both a shotgun and an AK-47 assault rifle, plus a large stash of ammunition in the farm house that the couple occupied. Neighbors commented that the relationship between Calvo and Willis “did not seem healthy”, based mainly on arguments and yelling.
Last year Costa Rica declared violence against women a national emergency. The femicide (murder of a female usually by her lover or husband) rate has risen steadily in Costa Rica, averaging two women killed per month in 2018. It is unusual that this crime was of a foreigner against a Costa Rican. Murders of Americans by Costa Ricans always get a lot of press, adversely influencing the tourist industry. This murder will probably not get the same sensational international coverage. Calvo’s daughter and family are left to grieve privately.
About the Author :
Carol Blair Vaughn has written for Inside Costa Rica and The Costa Rica Star, as well as El
Residente magazine. She grew up in Latin America, traveling with her father Jack Vaughn,
former Assistant Secretary of State for Latin American Affairs, and US Ambassador to Panama
and Colombia. The Star published her book Crazy Jungle Love: Murder, Madness, Money & Monkeys
in 2017, and it is now available for purchase on Amazon as both a paperback and an
ebook.
Neighbors reported that the couple had a “difficult” relationship, involving many loud and violent fights. They suspected that Calvo was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her lover Willis. Calvo was from Turialba, divorced, with a 12 year old daughter. Neighbors heard that the couple were crack users, which led to their tumultuous relationship, but those accusations were never confirmed by authorities. This is the first murder case of 2019 where the murderer was American, and the victim Costa Rican. Calvo’s body revealed signs of trauma to her neck area, but no gunshot wounds. The OIJ discovered both a shotgun and an AK-47 assault rifle, plus a large stash of ammunition in the farm house that the couple occupied. Neighbors commented that the relationship between Calvo and Willis “did not seem healthy”, based mainly on arguments and yelling.
Last year Costa Rica declared violence against women a national emergency. The femicide (murder of a female usually by her lover or husband) rate has risen steadily in Costa Rica, averaging two women killed per month in 2018. It is unusual that this crime was of a foreigner against a Costa Rican. Murders of Americans by Costa Ricans always get a lot of press, adversely influencing the tourist industry. This murder will probably not get the same sensational international coverage. Calvo’s daughter and family are left to grieve privately.
About the Author :
Carol Blair Vaughn has written for Inside Costa Rica and The Costa Rica Star, as well as El
Residente magazine. She grew up in Latin America, traveling with her father Jack Vaughn,
former Assistant Secretary of State for Latin American Affairs, and US Ambassador to Panama
and Colombia. The Star published her book Crazy Jungle Love: Murder, Madness, Money & Monkeys
in 2017, and it is now available for purchase on Amazon as both a paperback and an
ebook.
