Woman, 27, Fatally Shot in Yard of Pos Chikito Home

Diviene Celine Lillian Vlaun, 27, was shot dead in the yard of her home in Pos Chikito in the early hours of Saturday, October 17, in the fourth murder in Aruba this year.

Police Central received a call around 3:10 a.m. about a person with a gunshot wound who was not responding. The initial call mentioned a man, but responding officers found a woman lying on the ground in the yard of her home. Police and an ambulance rushed to the scene; paramedics attempted to save her, but the forensic doctor pronounced her dead.

What police confirmed

Police spokesperson Liliana Rasmijn confirmed that two minor children were inside the house at the time. The victim, born in Aruba on May 12, 1999, was identified by the forensic doctor. Her mother told investigators she heard four shots.

Initial information mentions a dark-colored car that may be related. The make and model of the car, the number of occupants, and the number of bullets that struck the victim have not been confirmed. No motive has been confirmed, and no prior problems related to the victim have been confirmed.

Investigation and appeals

Detectives and forensic police investigated the scene, while other units searched the surrounding area for the vehicle. The Victim Support Department is assisting the family. High Commissioner of the Aruba Police drs. Ramon Arnhem condemned the crime and said the investigation is being taken very seriously.

During a briefing, Rasmijn also mentioned a separate recent case at Caya Sint Maarten in which two people were shot. She did not establish any link between the two cases. Police extended their condolences to the family and asked witnesses to call tiplijn 11141, which accepts anonymous reports.