On a tragic day in June, a vibrant life was cut short in a quiet neighborhood. Claribel Torres-Duran, a 42-year-old woman, became a victim of a devastating act of violence that also claimed the life of her young daughter. Born in Manacla, Dominican Republic, she was known by friends and family as a lively and active person who could light up any room she entered.
A devoted mother, she had worked hard to become an American citizen to provide a better life for her family, eventually bringing her mother and siblings to the United States. She was the head of her household, a loving daughter, sister, and a great advisor to her siblings, always ensuring they were well cared for.
The horrific events unfolded in the early morning hours of June 5, 2025. Hamilton Township police responded to a 911 call from a residence on Henry Street shortly before 4 a.m.. Upon their arrival, they discovered a tragic scene. Claribel, her 10-year-old daughter Evangelina Velasquez, and a man later identified as Fernando Mercado, 42, were all found with fatal gunshot wounds. All three were pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation by the Mercer County Homicide Task Force and the Hamilton Police Division soon revealed the incident to be a murder-suicide.
Authorities concluded that Fernando Mercado, who was Claribel's boyfriend, had shot and killed her and her daughter before turning the gun on himself. Two other children who were in the home at the time were thankfully unharmed. The father of Evangelina Velasquez later shared that he had previous concerns for his daughter's safety and had been involved in custody proceedings. This heartbreaking event left a family shattered and a community in mourning for the senseless loss of a mother and her child.
