Journalist María Elena Ferral was shot eight times while in central Papantla in the state of Veracruz around 2 p.m. on March 30, according to Diario de Xalapa, a newspaper for which she was a correspondent. She died six hours later.
Journalist Maria Elena Ferral was killed on March 30 in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. (Facebook)
The journalist, also director of news site Quinto Poder, reported to the State Commission for Attention to and Protection of Journalists that she had received threats, according to Diario de Xalapa.
La Jornada published that in 2016 Ferral filed a criminal complaint and said she had received death threats from a local politician because of her work.
Her family members said she was threatened “from all sides,” Diario de Xalapa reported.
The Attorney General of Veracruz released a statement in which it pledged to find those responsible and expressed solidarity with journalists, saying Ferral “sought to give voice to vulnerable groups and to do journalism dedicated to social causes, accuse injustice, and equally highlight the benefits of Veracruz.”
The Office of the Special Prosecutor in Electoral Crimes and Crimes Against Freedom of Expression is investigating the case, according to Diario de Xalapa.
Ferral is the 28th journalist to be killed in the state of Veracruz since 2000, according to information provided to the Knight Center by Article 19 Mexico. It is the deadliest state for journalists in the entire country, the organization reports.
