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Family Falsely Accused Of Car Theft Eaten Alive By Ants In Vigilante Attack

Family Falsely Accused Of Car Theft Eaten Alive By Ants In Vigilante Attack

The victim was aged 52.

James Dawson

James Dawson

A woman wrongly accused of stealing a car has died after a mob of vigilantes tied her to a tree infested with poisonous fire ants on New Year's Eve.

The 52-year-old victim was rescued alive by police in Caranavi, Bolivia but died from breathing problems after she was rushed to hospital.

The tiny insects chewed on her windpipe, causing severe swelling that closed her airway.

Roxana Bustillos, lawyer for the family targeted by the vigilantes, said: "It's probable that the ants bit the victim's windpipe, which caused an inflammation and meant she wasn't able to breathe."

The woman was targeted by villagers after she went to help her son who had been bound to the tree on the accusation of being a car thief, according to reports.

The daughter also received the same punishment but she and her older brother survived.

Local police chief Gunter Agudo said: "Initially the investigation was opened as a probe into an attempted car theft but now it has been changed to a murder and serious assault investigation."

Only one person has been arrested so far on suspicion of inciting locals to commit the crime.

Authorities said early investigations showed the dead woman and her children, aged 22 and 28, had travelled to the area from La Paz to recover a debt.

Roberhtmar Aramayo, who described himself as a nephew of the dead woman, said on the Facebook page of a local radio station: "Damned community Indians of Caranavi.

"My family is suffering the loss of my beloved aunt. I hope the courts clarify what's happened because they've left my cousins orphans."

Featured Image Credit: Facebook

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