Murder suicide theory over 3 deaths
Father tells of anguish over murders
Dad says daughter Gisella was splitting with Russell Steele, above, the evening before the pair and her 15-year-old girl were found dead
THE father of a woman found murdered with her daughter in her flat says she was splitting up with her Scots boyfriend – who was also found dead.
The bodies of Gisella Irina Marimon-Herrera, 37, and daughter Allison, 15, were discovered at Gisella’s home in Newry in Northern Ireland alongside that of Russell Steele, 38, originally from Kilmarnock.
A post mortem revealed Allison was strangled and police strongly believe Gisella was killed in the same way.
Steele died by hanging. It’s understood he took his own life.
Police say domestic abuse is one line of inquiry.
Gisella’s dad Fabian Marimon said she was telling Steele she was leaving to return back home for good.
It’s understood the couple had been in a relationship for about nine months.
Speaking from his native Colombia, Fabian said: “We were expecting her home in the coming days. We are a close family and we missed each other too much. When we couldn’t get a visa to visit her, she decided she would return and live here with us.
“I don’t understand how someone could do this. They have to be evil. Whoever did this is not normal.
“The last time we spoke was Saturday, the day before she was killed. She was happy and laughing and everything seemed normal.
“When my other daughter called from Northern Ireland and told me she had not seen or heard from Irina or Allison, I told her to go to Irina’s and knock on the door.”
There was no reply. Police went to the flat with the family on Thursday and found the bodies.
It’s thought all three had been dead since Sunday.
Gisella’s pet dog, a white Chihuahua, was also killed.
Steele was identified locally. His parents still live in the Kilmarnock area.
Fabian said his daughter rarely spoke about her Scottish boyfriend, adding: “She told us that the guy was fine. Apparently he worked in the construction sector.”
Gisella and her two brothers, who moved to Europe 20 years ago, had planned for Fabian and his wife Elizabeth to visit them.
Police yesterday asked the public to come forward with information about the last movements of Gisella and Allison.
Detective Superintendent Jason Murphy said: “There’s nothing that suggests the causes of death are natural.
“Domestic abuse will be one of the lines of inquiry as a matter of course. You would expect us to do that.
“It’s just too early yet for me to be definitive around what happened in the flat.
“I believe that Giselle and Allison were still alive in the early hours of Sunday morning but family members had not been able to contact them since.
“While our investigation remains at an early stage, there is no evidence at this time that anyone else was involved.”