The Daughters of Juarez: A True Story of Serial Murder South of the Border (34 page)

The Daughters of Juárez
is also your story. I know how touched you were by the stories of the victims and their families and the unending determination of advocates and experts to close this cycle of violence.

 

 

Johanna, Judith, Wendy, and Lisa, I know you share my desire for justice. Perhaps this book will become a catalyst for change in Ciudad Juárez, México.

 

 

To our production editor, Nancy Inglis, we couldn't have done it without you! Despite our last-minute additions and changes to the manuscript, you understood it was all in the interest of making
The Daughters of Juárez
the best it could be. Our gratitude to copyeditor Peg Haller, whose attention to detail made this manuscript shine, and to our dedicated and resourceful publicist, Melissa Quińones, for her enthusiasm in marketing this book to the different media outlets in order to ensure its success.

 

 

To Jorge Ramos, a dear friend, respected journalist, and author, you paved the way for all of your colleagues at Univision in being the first to publish a book. I thank you for your guidance and pep talks throughout the entire process and for always having the time to help me (with a smile), despite your busy schedule. To my close friend, distinguished journalist and author Maria Elena Salinas, with whom I have shared so many different life experiences, thank you for your words of encouragement when I felt I couldn't handle the pressures of motherhood, my work for
Aquí y Ahora,
and finishing this project. To Coynthia Pérez Mon, my esteemed friend, meticulous producer, dedicated colleague, and perfectionist, whose colored pens are as etched in my mind as the many chocolates we consumed along the way. You have been and continue to be an example of strength, and perseverance. Yoly Zugasti, you may not have known it, but when the stories we heard in Juárez became too painful, your positive thoughts helped me refocus, reminding me that by broadcasting these appalling accounts, perhaps we could save a life. Roxana Soto, your enthusiasm in picking up the story and running with it during our 2002 trip to Juárez speaks volumes about your professionalism. Thank you for your camaraderie and your continued desire to be a part of the solution. To Univision president Ray Rodriguez, senior vice president Alina Falcon, and vice president, co–news director Sylvia Rosabal, my deepest gratitude for allowing us to continually update this ongoing saga. To my cameramen Angel Matos, Jerry Johnson, Martin Guzman, and Jorge Solińo, your talent, creativity, hard work, and friendship will always be appreciated. I also salute my outstanding editors, Maria Pińon, Rick Ramos, and Frank Linero, and the creative Univision promotions team past and present, from Mario Rodriguez to Otto Padron and Chela Mason— thanks for producing promos that were so compelling. To the extraordinarily helpful news team at our El Paso/Juárez Univision affiliate, KINT, Channel 26— Luis Escalera, Gustavo Barraza, Raul Morales, Germán Sáenz, and Roberto Delgado— there are not enough words to express how grateful I am for your generosity, references, and confirmation of information. I would also like to acknowledge Jorge Domínguez, Luz María Cárdenas, and Laz Hernández from the Univision and Galavision art departments for their help and guidance. To my colleagues Liz Valdes, Rafael Tejero, and Gabriela Tristan, who through the years always kept me abreast of new developments, as well as Linda Rozo, Veronica Molina, Lucia Burga, and Tania Ordaz Rues, thanks for your continued assistance, research, and phone calls. Christopher Robinson, thanks for making sure our map was consistent with the facts.

 

 

Esther Chávez Cano and Oscar Maynez, without your input, cooperation, resources, and support,
The Daughters of Juárez
would never have been so complete and timely.

 

 

To the mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers of the murdered women, who invited us into their lives and shared their pain, it is our sincerest hope that you find closure and peace.

 

 

To my dear friend and gifted writer, Alex Hadad, your suggestions were invaluable. Thanks for always asking and caring about this project. Thanks to my close friends Lazz, Omi, Ana Margarita, Carmen, and Tillie, whose patience and understanding I will forever cherish. And, Mirian and Edith, knowing I could count on you to take care of the family while I was away made my job that much easier.

 

 

My loving sons, Victor and Julian, as you read these pages I hope you'll understand why my assignments took me far from home. There was so much to chronicle, so much to report, and yet so little time in which to do it. I hope I've been an example in your lives and shown you the difference between right and wrong. I hope I've shown you to stand up for your beliefs and defend your rights.

 

 

To Miguel Angel, you are indeed my guardian angel. Your understanding, love, and willingness to listen, read my drafts, and share my tears are only a few of the reasons why you hold a special place in my heart.

 

 

For you and all the others I failed to mention, fate has brought us together. I hope today you share with me the pride and sense of accomplishment I feel in seeing this labor of love come full circle.

 

 

* * *

Individually, Lisa Pulitzer would like to express gratitude to researcher Joan Bonina for her hard work and dedication to this project, and to literary agent Madeleine Morel for her support and encouragement. She would also like to extend a special thank-you to her stepfather, Gilbert Matthews, for always believing in her, lots of hugs to her husband/editor, Douglas Love, for his undying devotion, understanding, and editorial input, and "butterfly" kisses to her two young daughters, Francesca and Juliet, for letting their mommy tell this important story. It is Lisa's sincere hope that through the efforts of activists such as Esther Chávez Cano and others who are fighting for justice in Ciudad Juárez and in countries around the globe, Francesca and Juliet will one day enjoy a world in which women everywhere receive equal treatment.

 

 

 

 

Silvia Elena dressed in a long white gown typical of the quinceańera dresses girls wear in Mexico and other Latin American countries to mark their fifteenth birthday.
Teresa Rodriguez (LEFT) and Ramona Morales (RIGHT)
Olga Alicia
Irma Pérez (Olga Alicia's mother) cooking at her burger stand. This is the job that sustains her.
Sharif being interviewed by Teresa Rodriguez in a conference room at the El Cereso jail. During the interview he insisted he was not guilty of murdering Elizabeth Castro.
Sergio Armendáriz, aka El Diablo, also being interviewed by the author at El Cereso jail. He too denied any involvement in the murders.
Oscar Maynez
Esther Chávez
Sagrario González
Paula González kneels before her daughter Sagrario's tomb. Plastic flowers adorn the plot otherwise covered by dirt and rocks.
Sagrario González's neighborhood
Dr. Irma Rodríguez displays how, from recovered remains, her office was able to re-create a face.
The Brick Jail