QCOSTARICA – Sondra Lynn Elizondo, 45, of Merritt Island, Florida, a mother of two and coordinator of medical care in Central American countries, is the woman found dead in a Costa Rican hotel room, allegedly stabbed to death by her jealous younger lover.
Related: American Woman Found Dead in San Jose Hotel
The body was found naked Wednesday by a hotel worker in the Barrio California neighborhood of San Jose.
Investigators say she was stabbed at least five times, with wounds found around her neck and face. The yet to be identified man, believed to be 15 years her junior, was an extremely jealous man who would “never let her to speak to anybody”, according to friends speaking to investigators.
Elizondo was the director and co-founder of VIDA Volunteer, a U.S.-based organization that sets up medical and dental clinics in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.
On their Facebook page, VIDA writes, “Sondra was a devoted mother, loyal friend and caring daughter. She was a great inspiration and always passionate about helping others and making a positive difference. Vida Volunteer is the legacy Sondra leaves behind and we are more committed than ever to keeping her dream alive.”
The Minnesota native arrived in Costa Rica last Saturday, and was scheduled to next travel to Nicaragua. Her body lifeless body was discovered Wednesday. Hotel staff told investigators they had heard what they believed to be an argument coming from Sondra’s room, but then it got quiet. Staff also told investigators they saw the young man leave the hotel in a taxi.
Investigators for the Organismo de Investigacion Judicial (OIJ) said the woman met up with her young lover every time she was in Costa Rica.
The motive of the killing is yet unknown. Investigators learned that the couple had shared a meal and bottle of wine before the brutal attack.
Photos from Facebook
