In Panama, during a search of the residence where Alexander Álvarez Santamaría (43 years old) shot and killed his partner Katherine Leydis Hernández (38 years old) last Saturday, the Homicide and Femicide Prosecutor's Office located four firearms. The inventory, recorded by the Public Ministry during the procedure to recover the couple's bodies from their shared home in Las Torres, Burunga district, Arraiján (West Panama), includes a Glock 17 pistol with its magazine, a five-shot revolver, a single-shot firearm, a .22 caliber shotgun, and two boxes of ammunition of various calibers. Upon inspection of each weapon, it was confirmed that all had the necessary permits. The Public Ministry's current line of investigation is based on the testimony of the family's nanny. This account states that after arriving home intoxicated and having a heated argument with his partner, Alexander Álvarez grabbed a firearm and shot Katherine (a Dominican national) multiple times before taking his own life with a shot to the head. As part of the investigation, it was confirmed that Álvarez had no criminal record. The couple left two minor children, aged three and 17, orphaned, who were left crying and terrified by the tragic event. On Saturday, the Ministry of Women reported that an interdisciplinary team from the Comprehensive Care Center (CAI) in Arraiján arrived at the scene to provide support to both the victim's family and local residents. This is the first femicide recorded in the province of West Panama in the year 2026. In 2025, eight femicides, six attempted femicides, and one violent death were registered in this province.
