Family Says Warning Signs Were Missed Before Dr. Bonilla’s Murder

Hindsight by family members and friends of the late Dr. Naum Bonilla indicates that had they taken his business matters more seriously, his assassination could have been prevented.  It is a revelation that came out of Belmopan earlier today as the accused killers were taken to court today.  We join our Belmopan Correspondent LJay Wade who was at the courthouse when both 26-year-old Hannah Rebekah Foreman and 37-year-old Edwin Albert Bethran Jr. were being arraigned.

Ljay Wade, Cayo Correspondent: One week after the gruesome murder of Dr. Naun Bonilla in Belmopan, the police department has announced that two persons have been charged. Today, 26-year-old Hannah Rebecca Foreman and 37-year-old Edwin Albert Bethran Jr. were arraigned at the Belmopan magistrates court for Bonilla’s murder. It is believed that Foreman hired Bethran Jr. to carry out a hit on the doctor’s life. This morning, a group of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and family members gathered outside the courtroom shouting for justice to be served regarding the murder of Dr. Bonilla. 

Crowd: Justice ! 

Angel Bonilla, Brother of Deceased: “Our loss is huge. Not only did they rob us of a brother, friend, father but a huge loss to many of his patients. We just heard a testimony from one his patients who said “I am alive because of Dr. Bonilla.” We are so overjoyed with all of the support that we’re getting from people, from even abroad and people in Belize from all corners and we cannot allow that this crime goes unpunished. It is sad to see where we have come as a society. They did not only take away a life but a life saver. We don’t only want this arraignment, we want a conviction. We want them to pay for the crime that they did and that’s what we demand and that’s what we’re here for. We are Godly people with trust and we want to trust that the department itself is doing all that they can opening and allowing all the resources required.”

Ljay Wade, Cayo Correspondent: Bonilla was in the middle of an ongoing civil matter with his business partner Hannah Foreman when he was murdered. Leaked court documents show that Bonilla had accused Foreman of diverting patient payments to personal accounts and destroying official receipts and testing logs. According to Bonilla’s family, they were fully aware of the legal dispute but did not believe that it would have reached the point where their loved one would have been killed.

Angel Bonilla, Brother of Deceased: “We were aware from day one, this is not something that my brother just started the day yesterday. This is something that has been brewing unfortunately for a little too long. I myself had had discussions about this with him in our private circles and I think and I feel like I failed him by not warning him you know ? You know like the proverb says a thief is a killer. If I had ever in my wildest dreams considered this would have happened I would have convinced my brother to drop the case and to leave it alone because nothing is worth a life. There’s nothing that can replace the void that has been left in our family. We are completely shattered.We have lost a great human being, we have lost a father and we have also lost a provider.” 

Ljay Wade, Cayo Correspondent: Foreman is being represented by senior attorney at law, Dickie Bradley, while Bethran is being represented by Arthur Saldivar. The family of Bonilla is pleading with both defense attorneys to drop the case, but according to Saldivarr, he took an oath to defend the rights of all Belizeans. 

Arthur Saldivar, Defense Attorney: “We know that this is a very highly scrutinized case. The fact that Dr. Bonilla was murdered is not lost on anyone. Certainly on both sides of the bar we want justice to be done. Justice for Dr. Bonilla is important and justice for Dr. Bonilla means that the right persons are before the court. If they are the right persons and the evidence holds up then the outcome will be what it should be. If it is that they are not the right persons and all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty then the outcome will be justice in that respect as well.”

Ljay Wade, Cayo Correspondent: What do you say to the family members who are out here today asking you not to take on this case? 

Arthur Saldivar, Defense Attorney: “I tell the family members just as the good doctor who has passed took a Hippocratic oath to give service to anyone who is ill and attend to them with the same level of professionalism competence as he did when he was alive I have taken an oath to serve the community and country of Belize and every citizen within it who requires my service in the upholding and protection of their rights.” 
Ljay Wade, Cayo Correspondent: Due to the indictable nature of the offense neither Foreman nor Betheran were offered bail. The duo is set to return to court on the 1st of September for disclosure.