U.S. citizen allegedly murdered in Ecuador, statement from the victims family

News provided by
The Family of Leslie Allison

Mar 24, 2017, 16:39 ET

SUGARLAND, Texas, March 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — The family of Leslie Allison, a US citizen allegedly murdered in Ecuador in January 2016, awaits the outcome of her alleged murderer’s trial, which will be held on March 30, 2017.

35-year-old Leslie had traveled to Ecuador many times in the past, touring the country and learning about its people. On January 12, 2016, she arrived in the jungle to participate in a lengthy natemamu (ayahuasca) group ceremony led by Miguel Chiriap, a shaman and member of the indigenous Shuar tribe. The ceremony ended abruptly for Leslie, leaving her dead in the group’s camp.

Originally, Leslie’s death was reported as accidental, the result of a poor reaction to the herbs and other ingredients in the ayahuasca, or perhaps a heart defect. However, during the autopsy by Dr. Katherine Pacheco, it was found that the cause of death was a broken neck due to severe blunt force trauma. Additionally, Leslie had sustained massive bruising over her body, including bruising of the lungs, and a nearly two-inch open wound to her chin.

According to a witness, no medical attention was sought and the organizers did not call authorities to report the death immediately. The time of death was approximately 10:00pm Thursday per the autopsy and authorities were contacted Friday. Instead, her clothes were changed and body moved to a hidden area. Suspicious of Miguel Chiriap, the only person present with Leslie at her death, investigators interviewed and charged him with culpable homicide. Read Full Press Release from Leslie Allison’s family

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