A HUSBAND and wife who worked as clowns were allegedly kidnapped and murdered by a gang in Guatemala after performing for jail inmates.
Joselin Chacón Lobo, 29, known as the clown “Chispita”, and her husband Nelson Villatoro were found dead on Friday – nearly two months after they vanished.
Clowns carry the coffin with the remains of Joselin Chacón Lobo – known as ‘Chispita’[/caption]
A woman holds a portrait of 29-year-old clown Joselin Chacón Lobo[/caption]
Joselin Chacón Lobo’s mum Victoria Lobo, center, is comforted by a clown[/caption]
The couple, who both worked as clowns, had been performing together at a prison in Escuintla on May 9 when they disappeared, according to reports.
Joselin’s heartbroken mum, Victoria Lobo, spent 52 days searching for her daughter before the authorities found the decomposing bodies of the pair at a house in Villa Nueva last week.
They were buried in a grave and shoes and face paints were found at the scene.
The authorities said the couple – who reportedly had three children – had allegedly been kidnapped and strangled by gang members.
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It’s not clear whether any arrests have been made over the deaths.
The funeral for Joselin took place on Sunday in Amatitlán with moving pictures showing fellow clowns carrying her coffin.
According to La Hora, Joselin’s mum said: “I want to tell the people who did this to my daughter and son-in-law that I forgive them in the name of Jesus – and I bless you in the name of Jesus.”
The funeral procession was made up of other artists and clowns, who wore colourful attire and carried flowers, balloons of different shapes and colours.
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The coffin of “Chispita” was covered with coloured paper scrawled with messages from her loved ones.
At the end of the ceremony, people erupted in applause for the mother-of-three.
They shouted: “Loud applause, louder for Chispita!”
After the couple’s disappearance, several exhumations were carried out in different parts of Guatemala, but they weren’t found.
On Friday, firefighters received a call to reports of possible human remains where they found Joselin and her husband.
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The Association of Clowns and Comedians of Guatemala paid tribute the couple, writing: “We mourn the loss of two loved ones and for the guild of the red nose.
“We join the pain of their relatives, God give them strength, unity and resignation in these moments of mourning.”
