School Mourns Beloved Mother and Children Lost to Domestic Violence Tragedy
The campus of St Michael School in San Felipe is draped in purple and grief as students, staff, and families come together to honour the life of a woman whose presence touched nearly every corner of the school.
Thirty-five-year-old Angelita Magaña, her six-year-old son Tishan Godoy, and her seventeen-year-old daughter Shadia Magaña lost their lives in a devastating act of domestic violence. On Monday, the three were allegedly doused in gasoline and set ablaze by Angelita’s estranged ex-partner, 35-year-old Francisco Godoy. Angelita and Tishan were pronounced dead that same day. Shadia, who sustained critical burn injuries, along with the culprit Godoy, both passed away this morning at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City.
Godoy had recently been released on bail after months in jail on domestic violence charges involving Angelita. Upon his release, he reportedly tracked her down, broke into her home, and threatened her life if she did not take him back.
Fearing for their safety, Angelita moved her family to San Felipe Village with her common-law husband. On Friday, she went to court seeking a restraining order but was told to return on Monday. She never got the chance.
Minister of Human Development Thea Garcia-Ramirez acknowledged systemic failures in protecting women and children but emphasised that the responsibility also lies with society as a whole.
“Angelita was a treasure to our school,” said Principal D. Cal. “She joined us like two years back. This would’ve been her third year.”
Known for her kindness and helpful spirit, she often helped children with different abilities, escorted them to the bathroom, and welcomed visitors at the school gate. “She would be that lady that would be helping the different children come to school,” Cal said.
In response to her passing, the school hosted a community-wide fundraiser. “We are getting families that are approaching the school and bringing some extra, extra little contribution,” he said. Support has poured in from the village council and other Catholic schools in Orange Walk.
To honour Angelita and raise awareness about domestic violence, students and teachers dressed in purple, the colour symbolising the fight against abuse. “Our children decided, along with the staff, that we come in purple for this specific rags day,” Cal shared. “We met together to send out a message… we need to stop domestic violence.”
As the community mourns, their grief is mixed with a message of hope that Angelita’s story will be a call to action to protect others from the same fate.
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