Women ‘need to speak out’: Gaby Ramos killing spurs sister to take up domestic violence cause

TAYLORSVILLE — Since the killing of her sister Gaby Sifuentes Castilla, Rocio Sifuentes hasn’t let up.

In the aftermath of the brutal 2021 slaying of the woman better known as Gaby Ramos, allegedly at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, Rocio Sifuentes immediately took to social media to recruit help in tracking the suspect, who ultimately fled to Mexico. She pressed for his extradition, and the man, Manuel Burciaga-Perea, is now jailed in Utah on an aggravated murder charge and more.

Significantly, Sifuentes has also taken up the cause of domestic violence, pressing to raise awareness and taking any opportunity to speak to women and others about the issue. Ramos, who had shared a home in Taylorsville with her sister and her family, hosted a radio program on a local Spanish-language radio station, KMRI. She was well known in the Latino community, and her Oct. 17, 2021, killing caused shock waves.

“The message is to all the women out there — they need to speak out. They need to find the resources,” said Sifentues, learning more about the cause as she goes. “I want to tell them — they’re not alone.”

Her sister, Sifuentes said, had struggled finding help to deal with the chaos of her relationship with Burciaga-Perea, and Sifuentes’ focus is spreading the word about available programming for those suffering domestic violence. Ramos, survived by a young daughter, ultimately started counseling via video calls with a therapist in Mexico, unable to find help locally, and Sifuentes doesn’t want those who need help and support to go without it.

 

Read the full story and more from Tim Vandenack on KSL.com.

Related Stories:

• Transitional housing for domestic violence victims opening soon in Ogden

• Domestic violence penalties would increase for restricted persons