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Venezuelan ex-beauty queen murdered Venezuelan ex-beauty queen Monica Spear murdered
(about 3 hours later)
Former Venezuelan beauty queen Monica Spear, 29, and her husband Thomas Berry, 39, have been shot dead in their car in Venezuela. Former Venezuelan beauty queen Monica Spear, 29, and her British husband Thomas Berry, 39, have been shot dead in their car in Venezuela.
Their five-year-old daughter, who was injured in the incident, is said to be in a stable condition in hospital.Their five-year-old daughter, who was injured in the incident, is said to be in a stable condition in hospital.
Police have launched a investigation into the killing, which happened on the highway leading from Valencia to Puerto Cabello.Police have launched a investigation into the killing, which happened on the highway leading from Valencia to Puerto Cabello.
Ms Spear became Miss Venezuela in 2004, and also acted in soap operas.Ms Spear became Miss Venezuela in 2004, and also acted in soap operas.
Local media reported that Ms Spear and her husband had stopped by the roadside because their car had broken down. Venezuelan media reported that Ms Spear and Mr Berry were travelling from the city of Merida to the capital, Caracas, when their car broke down.
The gunmen opened fire in what police said might have been a robbery gone wrong. Police believe they were the victims of a failed robbery attempt.
Venezuela has one of the highest murder rates in the world, and armed robberies and kidnappings are not unusual. The couple and their daughter waited for about 45 minutes for breakdown assistance, says El Universal newspaper.
The car was about to be towed away when a group of five criminals approached and order them to stop. The couple and their daughter reportedly ran inside to car, but were shot at by the gang.
Ms Spear and Mr Berry died instantly. The daughter, Maya, was shot in the leg.
'Iron fist'
Initial reports said Mr Berry was Irish. But the Foreign Office has now confirmed he was a British national, who apparently moved to Venezuela as a child.
They lived in the United States and were in Venezuela on holiday.
Venezuela has one of the highest murder rates in the world. Armed robberies and kidnappings are not unusual, but the death of Ms Spear has had huge impact in the country.
President Nicolas Maduro has promised to respond with "an iron fist" to those who continue to attack the Venezuelan people.
He expressed his condolences and said: "We were evaluating the cruelty with which the suspects acted. Violence is an evil that we have."
"There will be no tolerance to those who carry out acts like that, killing decent men and women, who have a right to live," Mr Maduro added.
The opposition leader, Henrique Capriles, posted a message on his Twitter account calling for a nationwide drive against violence.
"Nicolas Maduro, I suggest we put aside our deep differences and get together to fight the lack of security, as one bloc," he wrote.