Robert Vignola Murdered in Cali Thursday Night

[latinadreaming]

This is very tragic as I knew Robert and stayed at the condo in Cali on a few occasions.  My heart goes out to his family.

[Cali-vet]

Sounds like a mistake. Sounds like the hitmen were after his wife and thought she was in the passenger seat. The cars windows were tinted dark and it was night time so they couldn´t see who was sitting where. On their way to the airport at that hour they were probobly on their way to pick someone up especially since he had returned to Cali just a few days before. For those who know Cali the location was close to the big shopping center La 14 Calima.

[mudd]

i have traveled all over the world, and the only place i was robbed, at gunpoint was in cali.  i was with some other gringo, and they could have easily decided just to shoot him and me, but probably didnt think it was worth the $500 they got, but you never know.

[Cali-vet]

His website:

http://www.retireincolombia.com/about.htm

[Jamie]

That’s sad to hear Robert was an upstanding guy. I learned from him prior to going into business and he provided many interesting and informative post on Gringos.com. For the most part Robert was no longer in the agency business even though he had such a website. If I recall Robert was at on time in the Casio business and doing business can be dangerous in Colombia. No saying what the cause for the murder was and it is likely we will never know the truth regardless of what is said or published. Very little is done to solve crime here.

Talk about Colombia being dangerous for American visitors are ridiculous there is no evidence of such. However, living here and particular activities you choose would put you at higher risk in comparison to the States.

[Dan]

Another couple of his websites:

http://www.robertvignola.com/ - Mortgage Banking business
http://www.latinwomenconnection.com/ - His Agency business which includes a photo of he and his wife (http://www.latinwomenconnection.com/about.htm).

FYI

- Dan

[G Bala]

My condolences to Robert Vignola's family and friends on this tragic and sad news.

Over the years, I met Robert a couple of times in Cali when I was visiting. I recall that Robert kindly invited me to his first photo shoot and sign-up of Cali ladies when he first opened his agency in town, and introduced me as a U.S. immigration attorney to all the ladies and the couple of gringos also attending.

Robert was always enthusiastic, helpful and generous, and very knowledgeable as an attorney, as well. All the best to his family and friends for healing and peace in the coming days.

Regards,
Gary Bala

[utopiacowboy]

The idea that they are going to find the sicarios who did it is ludicrous. Right. I am sure that they are still looking for the guys that bumped off my wife's father in 1985. Or the guys who offed her husband in 1999. And if you believe that, I have a bridge for sale, cheap.

[pan de bono]

Pdaddy is right. nowhere is safe yet everywhere is safe. guys live through battle in Iraq only to come home and die crossing the street in anytown USA. He is also right about a person being much safer in Colombia just keeping a low profile. You run off and get involved in drugs or politics or whatever you are an easy target.
Go to Colombia its safe, have fun,  just dont get carried away with yourself.

[Cali-vet]

Todays update in El Pais:

Investigan asesinato de extranjero

Las autoridades presumen que el asesinato del estadounidense Robert Marshall Vignola, ocurrido en la noche del jueves pasado en Cali, se debió a venganzas.

Sicarios desde una motocicleta le dispararon en ocho oportunidades a Marshall Vignola. La esposa de éste, Beatriz Ramos, sobrina del precandidato a la Gobernación del Valle Diego Ramos, resultó herida.

Marshall, quien trabajaba en bienes raíces, había llegado a Cali hacía dos semanas para visitar a su esposa.

En el momento en el que los sicarios, armados con pistolas nueve milímetros, le dispararon a la pareja, ésta se dirigía hacia el aeropuerto, ya que el extranjero iba a viajar a su país.

La Policía Judicial verifica si un taxi que estaba en el lugar tuvo relación con el crimen.

[papi]

1. i am not clear why they call it a revenge murder

2. the article mentions Robert by his middle name (i guess confusion of English names vs the 4 names latinos have)

3. it talks about Robert working in real estate? he was a lawyer but maybe was doing something with real estate?

i am not entirely clear

[papi]

Investigan asesinato de extranjero

The investigation of the murder of foreigners

Las autoridades presumen que el asesinato del estadounidense Robert Marshall Vignola, ocurrido en la noche del jueves pasado en Cali, se debió a venganzas.

The authorities presume the assination of US citizen Robert Marshall Vignola which occured last Thursday in Cali was revenge.

Sicarios desde una motocicleta le dispararon en ocho oportunidades a Marshall Vignola. La esposa de éste, Beatriz Ramos, sobrina del precandidato a la Gobernación del Valle Diego Ramos, resultó herida.

Sicarios (motorcycle assassins) shot Marshall 8 times. The wife Beatriz Ramos and niece of government candidate of the valley Diego Ramos was hurt.

Marshall, quien trabajaba en bienes raíces, había llegado a Cali hacía dos semanas para visitar a su esposa.

Marshall (Robert) who works in real estate arrived in Cali 2 weeks ago to visit his wife.

En el momento en el que los sicarios, armados con pistolas nueve milímetros, le dispararon a la pareja, ésta se dirigía hacia el aeropuerto, ya que el extranjero iba a viajar a su país.

In the moment the assassins armed with 9 millimetes shot the couple, they were on their way to the airport as the foreigner was on his way back to his country.

La Policía Judicial verifica si un taxi que estaba en el lugar tuvo relación con el crimen.

The police are trying to determine if a taxi in the area was involved with the crime

[Jeff S]

I have a relative, a cousin's uncle, who was in one of the first waves to storm Utah Beach on D Day. His landing craft was raked with machine gun fire several times and he was one of only two out of the twenty something men in the boat to make it to the beach. He survived the rest of the war including the Battle of the Bulge and went home to rural North Carolina. A dozen years or so later, he was plowing his field, when the little dog who did everything with him, fell off the tractor. In his effort to save the dog, he fell off too and the two of them got tangled up in the machinery and were killed.

He came through unscathed, one of the most dangerous times and places in history, the Normandy Invasion, but was done in in one of the safest times and places in history, essentially Mayberry RFD in the 1950s. It makes me realize that just because something is statistically safe, doesn't mean it'll do you in. Yes you have to evaluate risks, but when your number is up ... the losing card you'll someday play.

[papi]

Jeff, point well taken but the facts are that Colombia is a dangerous country. Anyone who argues otherwise is mistaken. Just ask any colombian

[Christopher]

My take is be forewarned that a place or situation is dangerous.  Heck, I live in one of the most dangerous North American cities myself and I'm about to go out Saturday night. 

When fear or danger keeps you from living your life, it's time to reassess.  Be aware, but don't be fearful.

[papi]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070401/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/colombia_american_killed;_ylt=AotAzNXwi.r0VlS7yKHn_zXMWM0F

[Jamie]

When I was researching Latin marriage agencies websites about 5 years ago my impression was what a bunch of garbage. When I stumbled on Roberts’s website I could see he was levels above his competition and I knew this was the guy I had to emulate. Unlike many who profess a tone of expertise with their limited knowledge when Robert spoke I knew I was listing to a man who knew what he was talking about. He was always must read material and one of the few guys who held to facts and logic in his discussions and one of the fewer still who would stand corrected. Robert held to good values and professionalism a rare commodity in Colombia.

While it’s foolish speculation I can only image the assassins would have been foiled if Robert was driving. It has been my experience that most of the women here do not react quickly to danger, threats or emergencies and will more so then not hamper your own defense and actions. In critical times it is best to understand and accept that you will need to do everything; expecting any aid from the Latin woman by you side can doom you.

[bundy_138]

By FRANK BAJAK, Associated Press Writer
Sun Apr 1, 1:09 AM ET
 


BOGOTA, Colombia - An American entrepreneur who introduced foreign men to "young, sexy, exotic and beautiful Latin Women" via the Internet was killed in the western city of Cali by gunmen on a motorcycle, police said Saturday.

ADVERTISEMENT
 
Robert Marshall Vignola, 50, of Hamden, Conn., says on the Web site http://www.latinwomenconnection.com that he founded the Cali, Colombia-based company in 1999. The site says the company "has assisted hundreds of clients in the search for the Latin Woman of their dreams."

In addition to offering contact with women pictured in bikinis for $20 each, the Web site promoted vacation packages to Cali including a "private tour" accompanied by Vignola for $600 per day plus airfare.

The site also sold a book penned by Vignola entitled "Secrets of Romancing Latin Women." It describes Latin females as "the type of women that make a man's heart race, blood boil and libido accelerate into overdrive."

Vignola was shot and killed Thursday night by two men on a motorcycle while driving to Cali's airport, police said. His 33-year-old Colombian wife, Beatriz Ramos, was hospitalized with bullet wounds in the shoulder.

Cali's police chief, Gen. Alberto Moore, told The Associated Press on Saturday that authorities did not know why he was killed but had ruled out robbery.

Cali, home to Colombia's dominant cocaine cartel in the 1990s, remains among the country's most violent cities.

In addition to the "matrimonial service," Vignola had a casino in Cali that went bankrupt, leaving him with considerable debts, Moore said. "So it's said that possibly people could have been demanding money, and he didn't pay and so they took this reprisal."

Moore said Vignola had financial problems in the United States but said he had no details.

Relatives of Vignola in Connecticut, where according to his personal Web site he practiced law and offered assistance in obtaining mortgages, would not comment.

"We're in mourning right now so please don't bother us," said a man who answered the phone at Vignola's father's home.

A friend of Vignola in Cali who spoke on condition he not be identified said Vignola only visited the city three or four times a year.

The Web site describes Vignola as its "former owner and original founder" and recounts how he met his wife in Colombia after deciding he had "almost no chance of finding the woman of my dreams here in the United States."

[Frank Rizzo]

Parley, I should have been more clear on my post. I was speaking about my experience with Colombian workers, which is frustrating to say the least.

Upon re-reading my post, my apology to Latinos.

[Parlay Rey]

No blood, no foul 

[pan de bono]

Papi says its not only Cali but all of Colombia. I'd go a step further and say its all of the world. Theres hardly a magor city in the world you can go without reading about such hits taking place all the time. I just finished reading an article on Yahoo about brazil leading the world in crimminal deaths. One area especially in the northeastern part of Brazil has 2 murders a day 365 days a year. They said most of them are hits. In N.E. Brazil if you piss someone off they dont call the cops or get a lawyer and sue you, or beat you up, they just blow you away or pay someone to do it for them for $500USD.. Kinda makes Cali look calm doesnt it?

[Frank Rizzo]

$500???  More like 100k cop in Cali and Medellin.

[Calipro]

$500???  More like 100k cop in Cali and Medellin.

I think most hitmen in Cali would charge a bit more than 100k COP. But it's still cheap compared to the U.S.

Never understood why you should have to be rich just to get even.

Most people that have someone killed usually don't recieve anything more than a sense of satisfaction.

It pays to be nice in Cali.....could be why most Colombianos are very nice....well....at least to your face;-)

[Diablo]

But you guys that want to retire there, make sure you got money to hire bodyguards. Never met Robert, but heard he was an ok guy. Sad news for sure


KB

best advice ive heard all year

[Frank Rizzo]

No question CP, being nice in Colombia is rewarded with life. On a whole the guys in Colombia are very nice, as you say to your face. Who knows what is said later but you hardly ever hear raised voices even. I like the quiet there for sure.