Woman, 40, murdered in Uruguay; ninth femicide of 2026

A 40-year-old woman was found murdered with gunshot wounds in the rural area of Puntas de Quebracho, Cerro Largo department, Uruguay, on Friday night. The incident marks the ninth femicide recorded in the country so far in 2026.

“

The body was found about 200 meters from the main crime scene, suspended from a tree. Both had a common child and there are no previous reports. Corresponding forensic analyses were carried out at the scene for the full clarification of the event.

According to a statement from the Cerro Largo Police Headquarters, the woman received medical attention but ultimately succumbed to her injuries. On Saturday, police discovered the body of her alleged assailant, a 46-year-old man, approximately 200 meters from the primary crime scene. The man was found suspended from a tree. Authorities noted that the couple shared a child and that no prior domestic violence complaints had been filed.

Investigations are underway, with "corresponding forensic analyses" being conducted to fully clarify the circumstances of the event. The website Feminicidio Uruguay, which tracks such cases, defines femicides as "violent deaths of women for gender reasons" and compiles data from media reports and victim family/friend denunciations. The site acknowledges that its figures may differ from official government data due to conceptual or methodological variations.

“

violent deaths of women for gender reasons

Feminicidio Uruguay's database indicates that the eight previous femicides in 2026 involved women aged 18 to 82. In only two of those cases was the aggressor charged with "aggravated homicide due to femicide." Recent official data from Uruguay's Ministry of the Interior shows that between January and October 2025, 33 women were murdered in the country, with 58% of these homicides occurring within the context of gender-based violence.

“

their data do not always coincide with official Government data due to conceptual or methodological differences.