Overview:
Two young sisters, Wilandia, 7, and Wisberline, 5, were found dead in the rural hamlet of Kafoudèl in Anse-à-Galets, La Gonâve. Their mother said she discovered their bodies in a wooded area near their home. It remains unclear whether the girls were killed during a burglary or abducted and murdered elsewhere. Police announced several arrests but have not released details about suspects or evidence. The killings have shaken the community and renewed concerns about limited security and weak justice systems on the island.
LA GONAVE, Haiti — Two young sisters, ages 7 and 5, were found Thursday dead in the rural community of Kafoudèl, a communal section in Anse-à-Galets— sending shockwaves across the La Gonâve island, and raising urgent questions about what happened inside — or outside their family home.
Roselor Stimphile, the girls’ mother, said she found her daughters’ bodies the next morning in a wooded area near their home.
“It was a total shock for us,” she said. “I found our little girls in the woods on Thursday morning. They were at home, and it all ended in horror. They hadn’t done anything to anyone. I want justice.”
The victims, identified as Wilandia Stimphile, 7, and Wisberline Stimphile, 5, were discovered hours after unknown individuals reportedly entered their home on the evening of Feb. 18, according to Macknel Blanc, a local correspondent for state-owned Radio Nationale in the area.
It remains unclear whether the girls were killed inside the house during a burglary or taken from the home and later killed elsewhere. Their bodies were found in a wooded area not far from the residence, according to Blanc.
Initial reports from residents suggested the home may have been targeted for theft as the mother was selling in the open market and the girls were alone in the house. The attackers removed the children to prevent them from identifying those involved, according to those same reports. However, investigators have not publicly confirmed that version.
Police have announced several arrests, but authorities have not released the names of suspects or detailed the evidence linking them to the crime. No formal police statement has yet clarified the sequence of events.
Neighbors described the girls as joyful and carefree children.
In a region long affected by limited police presence and weak judicial infrastructure, the killings have intensified fears among residents.
“This tragedy has plunged everyone into desolation and tears,” Blanc said. “We have never seen anything so cruel in our community.”
The island of La Gonâve has, for years, struggled with limited access to justice and insufficient presence of the Haitian National Police (PNH)
“It was a total shock for us. I found our little girls in the woods. They hadn’t done anything to anyone. I want justice.”
Roselor Stimphil
Deputy Mayor Jack Henry Filias condemned the killings and urged residents to cooperate with police.
“We strongly condemn this crime that claimed the lives of two children,” he said, calling for vigilance while the investigation continues. “We urge the public to remain vigilant and to cooperate with law enforcement to apprehend the perpetrators.”
Calls for justice and accountability
Local organizations have stepped in to support the grieving family. Asosyasyon Fanm Vanyan Zile Lagonav said it is providing moral support and called for a transparent investigation.
“We stand with all women affected by violence and suffering,” the group said in a statement. “In these moments of despair, we are committed to offering moral support, guidance and assistance so that no woman feels alone. We believe in solidarity and the necessity of ensuring that justice is served to protect the rights of women and children.”
Paulson Saül, spokesperson for the Group Aksyon pou Devlopman Zile La Gonâve (AGD), said the crime exposes deeper institutional weaknesses.
“This crime exposes the fragility of the institutions here,” he said. “We must strengthen the police presence and the capacity of the justice system to respond quickly and effectively. Without this, more tragedies will occur.”
As of Thursday evening, authorities had not released further details about motive, murder scene findings or the precise sequence of events. The investigation remains ongoing.
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