A tragic case of domestic violence unfolded in Hallandale Beach where Delfina "Lily" Perez Chilel, a pregnant mother of two, was found dead. According to Local 10 News, the victim was identified as the 41-year-old mother who left her children, ages 8 and 9, at daycare before she met with a violent end.
The incident came to light after the police received a call about Perez Chilel failing to pick up her children. Officers found her with "severe injuries" in a bathroom of her home. Victor Chavez, the children's father and the alleged perpetrator, was present in the home, unresponsive. He was later charged with two counts of second-degree murder, as reported by NBC Miami. Chavez was taken to the hospital, where, after his recovery, he confessed to the murder and his attempted suicide.
Reflecting on the neighbors' shock and distress, Anne Foss recounted hearing a series of loud bangs that sounded like someone furiously pounding on a door. Concerns about Chavez's mental health, prior threats, and a repeated pattern of domestic disputes were relayed to the police by family members, which added somber layers to the already grim scene.
Child Protective Investigative Services is looking into the case of the two children, who are staying with relatives. In the midst of this tragedy, Cosme Abel De Leon Mazariegos, Perez Chilel’s sister, has set up a GoFundMe. The fundraiser aims to aid in transporting Perez Chilel's remains to their native Guatemala and supporting her children. "I am left to raise her two beautiful children along with mine now. Their lives will not be easy. They are the true victims of this tragedy. I pray we as a family are enough and that we do right by them," wrote De Leon, as noted by NBC Miami.
At a bond court proceeding, Chavez needed an interpreter for communication, indicating a language barrier that may have compounded the family's complex challenges. The legal system moves forward with charges and a mental health screening for Chavez.
