U.S. expat, age 76, murdered in his home near La Paz, off Cuenca – Loja highway

A 76-year-old U.S. citizen identified as David A. Senechalle was killed Friday night by three hooded assailants in a remote area near La Paz, about 40 miles south of Cuenca. National police say the victim died of three gunshots to the stomach.

The victim’s body was taken to the Cuenca forensic center.

Although police report that the victim was robbed, they say there may have been other motives for the crime. Among the items reported stolen were computers, cameras, jewelry and various household goods.

Police say the victim died in his home, described as a large property in Shimpali, off the Pan American highway in the Nabón canton, three kilometers north of the town of La Paz. They say the shooting occurred when Senechalle attempted to resist the intruders, sometime between 7:30 and 8 p.m. Friday.

A household worker who hid in a bathroom after the shooting, called 911 but police arrived moments after the assailants escaped in two vehicles.

The property was equipped with an alarm system, according to police, but it was disabled by the assailants or not operational at the time of the crime.

The victim’s wife, who was in the house when her husband was murdered, was reported unharmed.

Senechalle’s body was taken to the Cuenca Forensics Center for an autopsy.