In late October 2022, the world lost Sandra Karin Villena Manrique in a senseless act of violence that left her family, friends and strangers devastated. Sandra was a vibrant, kind soul whose life was cut short far too soon under horrific circumstances while traveling in Ecuador. For years, her loved ones have navigated the agonizing weight of grief compounded by the frustration of an ongoing search for accountability. This was never just a tragedy; it was a profound injustice that required international cooperation to address.
Since that tragedy, her family has been tirelessly advocating for justice. Led by attorney Santiago Escobar, they have fought a significant legal battle to have her case formally recognized as a femicide, ensuring that the gravity of this gender-based violence is acknowledged by the law.
Justice is Within Reach
The fight for accountability reached a critical milestone in 2023 following the issuance of an Interpol Red Notice for the capture of Vicente Michael Palomino Rosales, the primary suspect in Sandra's death. Vicente fled the scene in Ecuador and made his way to Brazil to evade capture. For many years, this individual managed to avoid arrest, aided by members of his own family. However, on December 23rd, 2025, after three years of an exhaustive international search, Vicente Michael Palomino was finally apprehended by authorities in Piura, Peru.
While this arrest brings a sense of relief, it marks the beginning of an arduous and expensive legal battle. We are now entering the final trial phase in Ecuador to ensure this case is formally prosecuted as a femicide and that the individual responsible is held fully accountable.
We are urgently raising funds to support Sandra’s family through these complex legal proceedings. The costs of international legal representation, travels, and the administrative hurdles of a cross-border prosecution are immense. Our objective is to raise $10,000 USD . Any extra funds collected will be allocated to cover travel and accommodation expenses, as well as any other legal costs incurred during the process in Ecuador.
Your contributions will go directly toward:
Trial Costs: Ensuring the family can be present and represented throughout the final phase of the trial.
Advocacy: Making sure Sandra’s voice is heard and that her case receives the justice it deserves. Sandra’s legacy is one of strength and professional excellence.
Honoring a Heroine: Ensuring that this case sets a definitive legal precedent against femicide, turning Sandra's tragedy into a force for systemic change. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYn5dE_M-0A
Please help us honor that legacy by ensuring her killer faces the full extent of the law. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to justice.
