ST. THOMAS — A tragic case of domestic violence has ended in murder, as police have arrested 54-year-old Tizoni A. Mahoney, charging him with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of his estranged wife, 42-year-old Maireni Heredia Tiburcio.
Her body was discovered at Galleon House in St. Thomas on Friday, August 29, after a 911 call reported an unresponsive woman. Responding officers from the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) found Tiburcio with at least one gunshot wound to her upper body. She was pronounced dead at 12:26 p.m. by emergency medical responders.
According to investigators, Mahoney was identified as the shooter after a preliminary investigation by the Criminal Investigation Bureau, and he was taken into custody without incident.
This homicide comes less than two months after Tiburcio had reported Mahoney for abuse. On July 3, she had fled to Port Authority police at Cyril E. King Airport, describing a harrowing week of abuse. She told officers Mahoney had dragged her from the shower, slapped, kicked, and choked her into unconsciousness.
In a separate incident, court records indicate Mahoney allegedly held her at gunpoint in a parked car, accusing her of infidelity. Fearing for her life, Tiburcio escaped by jumping from the vehicle near the airport.
Following those reports, Mahoney was arrested and charged with multiple counts, including domestic violence, assault, and illegal firearm possession. He was remanded pending a court hearing, but no protective order appears to have prevented further contact.
The couple had only recently married in June, but their short relationship quickly turned volatile — ending in Tiburcio’s violent death less than two months later.
Mahoney is currently in custody and awaiting his advice of rights hearing.
