In the late afternoon of Wednesday, May 24, 2023, the quiet of a neighborhood in Marshalltown, Iowa, was shattered by a tragic event that claimed the life of 57-year-old Hermelinda Alcala-de-Villagomez. A Hispanic woman known for her bright smile and selfless nature, she was discovered by law enforcement at a residence on East Church Street suffering from a fatal gunshot wound. Emergency personnel responded to a 911 call about a shooting at the location around 4:26 p.m.
and pronounced her deceased at the scene.
The investigation into the death of Hermelinda, a longtime employee of JBS and a devoted member of the St. Francis of Assisi Parish, quickly focused on her estranged husband, 72-year-old Jose Carmen Villagomez-Torres. Officers found him at the same location with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Though married, the couple had been living separately. Villagomez-Torres was initially transported to UnityPoint Hospital in Marshalltown and then transferred to a Des Moines hospital due to the severity of his injuries, where he later died.
Preliminary findings by the Marshalltown Police Department, assisted by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, indicated that the incident was a murder-suicide. Investigators believe that Jose Carmen Villagomez-Torres shot his estranged wife before turning the gun on himself. A firearm was recovered at the scene, and authorities have stated that they are not seeking any other individuals in connection with the case, assuring the public that there is no ongoing danger. Autopsies were scheduled to be performed by the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner to confirm the causes of death. The investigation brought a somber end to the life of a woman remembered for her love of family, her dedication to her church, and her kindness to those in need.
