Hundreds of people, locals and foreigners participated in the “Marcha de Blanco” (Protest in White), in Santa Teresa, Cobano, Puntarenas, an event organized to pay tribute to María Trinidad Matus, the Mexican tourist that was murdered last weekend at this touristic site in Costa Rica, the manifestation also had the purpose of raising awareness to battle insecurity and stop violence against women.

Participants gathered dressed in white and holding flowers and candles. Maria Matus was 25 years-old, a DJ and artist who traveled to Costa Rica on her own excited to enjoy the nature of the country, “Today my trip alone begins, after a long time of wishing to leave and travel the planet alone I am finally doing it. The time has come to fill with nature. Costa Rica Pura Vida”, posted the Mexican in her Instagram account when she began her trip July 26.

Matus was quick to make friends in the country, she spent time in La Fortuna, San Carlos, and then opted to go to Santa Teresa, in fact, she met the English woman who was with her when they suffered the attack at the ferry on the way to Cobano.

According to the Mexican Embassy in Costa Rica, the remains of Maria Matus are already in Mexico. Her family chose to handle all procedures privately, the family expressed their gratitude for the beautiful tribute “Her father and I are destroyed, she also has a 23-year-old sister, and from the bottom of our heart we appreciate this beautiful act”, commented the mother of the victim.

The activity was organized by Annete Fischel, who explained that even though they didn’t know the victim, the tragic situation touched the hearts of many.

María Trinidad Mathus Tenorio was at Playa Carmen in Santa Teresa with another tourist native of England when the two women were approached by two men with the intention of robbing them, after a short struggle the English woman was able to escape and ran for help; the Mexican woman was apparently was dragged to the water and killed by the one of the men.

Two men were arrested in connection to this crime, one remains in preventive custody, while the other one was released due to lack of solid evidence.
Video Filmed and Edited by: Mor Doenyas (An Israeli living in Santa Teresa for the past 10 years) (Drone GIRL Mor Surf Video & Photo)