fresh details emerged today regarding the identity of an alleged killer, with a smithsonian botanist claiming the accused murderer is probably the infamous Cocos nucifera.

so far police are not sure if robbery, revenge or jealousy was the motive in the brutal killing. “well, only one branch was used to take him out. so, it could have been a professional hit,” said an official on the scene. read more»

Free at last! Free at last! Thank God almighty, we are free at last!
old negro spiritual

it’s being reported that the depraved gringo fred salaff has been freed from his 2 1/2 year ordeal. salaff’s website claims he was found innocent, and will seek the return of his belongings and equipment confiscated illegally.

after all this time it’s doubtful the police will be able to round up all his dildoes, plugs, whips, cuffs, and creams. but, gracias a dios, justice has finally been done. now salaff’s free to resume his chosen profession; vile pornographer. read more»

here’s the flip side to my recent article about living cheaply and safely in panama. check out this new york post story about a staten island philanthropist who came to panama to invest, and start up a bed and breakfast. the wealthy widow was staying just down the street from me, in the edificio Atlantis, one of the beautiful buildings completed last year.

today el critica has even more gruesome details of the her violent death. they report that toni grossi-abrams, was beaten to death, chopped up, stuffed into a suitcase, and burned in rio abajo. it’s early in the investigation, but police have already arrested an american woman, and are looking for a couple of colombians.

this doesn’t appear to be about the random dangers of living in panama. el cangrejo’s a safe area. and panama city’s safer than toni grossi-abrams’ home city of staten island new york. this could happen anywhere. it’s probably much less likely to happen here.

it looks more like the story of an international cabal committing murder, with robbery or payback as their motive. eric jackson of the panama news suggests it’s possible toni grossi-abrams “was involved in more than one argument over money in connection with real estate.”

still, it should give pause to wealthy investors. there’s a reason the rich live with the rich. it’s safer. and in panama, there’s a juego vivo culture. locals don’t trust the government to protect them, or their assets. nor should you.

the natives all tell me the same thing, “don’t tell anyone you have money.” not a problem. i’m poor. they just think i have money because i can pick up the check. but if i really did have money, i’d keep that information to myself, no matter where i was living.

update - it’s interesting to hear the buzz on the street about this story. the locals are horrified by the savagery, and pointing fingers at the colombians. they don’t trust colombians, even though many have colombians in the family.

“you just can’t distinguish a criminal from colombia,” a friend tells me. “panamanian thugs have gold teeth, and dress the part. but colombians are just as likely to wear suits and ties. so never know who you’re dealing with.”

sunday april 15 - here’s my rough translation of today’s la critica update.

it’s alleged toni grossi-abrams fought over island property. and that debra ana ridley, an american woman, is being held on suspicion of her murder. 2 colombians (possibly members of ridley’s family) are being sought for questioning.

for english speakers, here’s a link to the ny post’s latest update. the post spells debra ana ridley’s name as Debra Ridgleia.

and yes, i agree with okke. in the scheme of things, this is perhaps, much ado about a dead gringa.