Relatives and friends carry the remains of Monica Spear, below, and of her ex-husband Thomas Henry Berry, top, during their funeral at the East Cemetery in Caracas, Venezuela, Friday, Jan. 10, 2014. Robbers killed actress Spear, 29, and her former husband Berry, 39, late Monday night on an isolated stretch of highway while the couple was returning to the capital by car with their 5-year-old daughter from a vacation. (AP Photo/Alejandro Cegarra)
January 10, 2014 - 11:06 AM
CARACAS, Venezuela - Hundreds of Venezuelans are paying their last respects to a popular actress whose slaying in front of her 5-year-old daughter has reignited debate about the nation's rampant crime.
Former Miss Venezuela Monica Spear and her ex-husband were gunned down Monday night. They apparently were trying to resist a robbery attempt after their car broke down on an isolated stretch of highway. Their murder was witnessed by their 5-year-old daughter.
Fans, fellow artists and relatives formed long lines to bid farewell to Spear at a funeral Friday in Caracas.
While authorities have made several arrests in the case, the murder is putting pressure on President Nicolas Maduro for his failure to bring down crime that has soared during more than 14 years of socialist rule.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014