Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Mother and two children killed by ex-boyfriend while she was on the phone to police

Marissa Reynoso, 26, had called police about her former partner twice before

Jon Sharman
Friday 06 January 2017 23:49 GMT
Comments
Marissa Reynoso, 26, was shot dead alongside her one- and three-year-old children
Marissa Reynoso, 26, was shot dead alongside her one- and three-year-old children (Tony Webster/Flickr)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A young mother and her two young children were murdered by her ex-partner while she was on the phone during a desperate 911 call on New Year's Day.

Marissa Reynoso, 26, was shot dead alongside her one- and three-year-old children after her former boyfriend broke in through the back door of her home in South Carolina.

It was the third time she had called police about Jorge Chavez, 25, since their break-up last October, ABC reported. Chavez later killed himself.

Police said that about 40 seconds into the call, Ms Reynoso screamed "he's got a gun!" and the emergency line operator was unable to get her back on the line.

All three bodies were later found in a bedroom, suggesting Ms Reynoso had had no time to hide or barricade herself away, Lexington County Sheriff's Office Captain Adam Myrick said.

ABC said in her first 911 call on 14 November Ms Reynoso had told police her ex-partner, the father of her children, had threatened to kill himself and said to her: "I can't do this anymore. I'll see you in heaven."

South Carolina has long had some of the highest rates of domestic violence in the United States, ABC said.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in