Miss Venezuela 2005, Monica Spear, and her husband Henry Thomas Berry were shot dead after resisting robbers who attacked the couple when their car broke down on Monday, Jan. 6.
Prosecutors reported that the former Miss Venezuela and soap-opera actress and her husband were slain near the country's main port, Puerto Cabello in the presence of their daughter, 5, when the couple resisted a robbery.
Their daughter is reportedly in a more stable condition after getting medical treatment for injuries that were not specified by authorities. Local media claims that the pair had a friendly relationship despite being separated and had been waiting for a tow truck when the robbers attacked.
Venezuela has been listed as one of the world's top countries in terms of murder rates and violent crime is reportedly widespread and common enough to force Venezuelans not to venture outside their homes after dark.
The former Miss Venezuela's death sparked anger on social media sites focusing on the government's weak record on crime.
The oil-rich South American nation's murder rate was up to 79 per 100,000 citizens by 2013. Government statistics released a much lower rate earlier.
Monica Spear was hailed Miss Venezuela back in 2004 and had starred in several soap operas such as "Pasion Prohibida" for U.S.-based network, Telemundo.
The former beauty queen often divided her time between the United States and Venezuela and had been on vacation when attacked and killed.
Monica Spear had over 355,000 followers on Twitter and her account feed over the past week was filled with short video recordings uploaded through Instagram of vacation scenes.
