A Family Torn Apart: The Tragic Story of an Overland Couple Deported and Later Killed in Guatemala

Important Note: This article discusses a real tragedy involving violence and death. It may be upsetting for some readers.

What Happened? (The Short Version)

A husband and wife from Overland, Missouri were found dead in Guatemala. They had been tied up and shot in a sugarcane field. Their 14-month-old baby girl was found alive, crying next to her mother’s body. The baby was dehydrated but is now recovering in a hospital.

Who Were They?

Nixon Giovanni Pérez Paz

• Age: 43 years old
• Father of three daughters
• Worked as a roofer to support his family
• Deported by ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) in April 2024

Glendy Marisol González de la Cruz

• Age: 25 years old
• Mother of three daughters (including a newborn born in June 2025)
• Worked two manual labor jobs in Overland
• Had an active asylum case (asking for protection in the U.S.)
• Chose to "self-deport" to be with her husband after he was sent away

Their Children

1. Two older daughters (ages not specified)
2. Baby Giovanni — 14 months old, found alive next to her mother

The Timeline: How We Got Here

1. Life in Overland

The couple lived in Overland, Missouri. They fled violence and poverty in Guatemala to come to the U.S. They didn’t have legal immigration status, but they worked hard — Nixon as a roofer, Glendy at two jobs.

2. The ICE Arrest (April 2024)

Early one morning, Nixon and his brother Rolando were driving to work when unmarked vehicles surrounded them. ICE agents:

• Pulled them out of their work van
• Put them in handcuffs and shackles
• Took them to Phelps County Jail
• Said they were being deported for "entering the country illegally"

Important Point: ICE claimed Nixon had two drunk driving convictions. However, Missouri court records don’t show this. ICE also mentioned a 2010 open-container charge in Florida — but prosecutors dropped that case.

3. Nixon Is Deported

Nixon was sent back to Guatemala. His brother Rolando was also deported later.

4. Glendy Stays Behind

Glendy remained in Overland with their children. In June 2025, she gave birth to their third daughter. She kept working two jobs while raising three kids alone.

5. The Breaking Point

Glendy faced:

• Mounting financial pressure (raising three kids on two low-wage jobs)
• Fear of being detained by ICE and separated from her children
• Stress from her active asylum case not moving forward

She made the heartbreaking decision to return to Guatemala voluntarily ("self-deport") to be with her husband.

6. The Tragedy (July 2026)

• July 20: The couple left home to register a motorcycle in a nearby town. They were reported missing.
• Days later: Their bodies were found in a sugarcane field in southern Guatemala.
• Condition: Both were gagged, hands and feet bound, showing signs of physical trauma. Both had been shot to death.
• Baby Giovanni: Found crying beside her mother, dehydrated. Now recovering in a medical center.

What People Are Saying

Rolando Pérez Paz (Nixon’s Brother, now in Guatemala)

"I felt that they took the thing I wanted most… people that wanted to work, to fight."
"If immigration hadn’t picked up my brother, my sister-in-law would still be alive, and the children wouldn’t be going through this sorrow."

Zachary Mueller (Immigration Policy Expert)

"This belies the idea that any of this is about public safety because now two people are dead and three young girls are without parents for the rest of their lives."

Community Response

• A candlelight vigil is planned for August 2 at 6 p.m. at Overland City Hall
• Immigrant rights group Fuerza supported Glendy during her asylum case

Key Facts You Should Know

IMPORTANT POINTS

• Two parents are dead, leaving three orphaned daughters (ages: two older girls + 14-month-old baby)
• ICE deported the father based on claims that court records don’t support
• The mother had a pending asylum case — she was legally seeking protection
• She self-deported out of fear and financial desperation, not by choice
• Guatemalan authorities are investigating the murders
• The baby survived but witnessed unimaginable trauma

Why This Matters (The Bigger Picture)

This story shows how immigration enforcement can have ripple effects:

1. Deportation separates families — Nixon was torn from his wife and kids
2. Fear drives desperate choices — Glendy felt she had no safe option but to leave
3. Danger follows deportees — Guatemala has high violence rates; returning can be a death sentence
4. Children pay the highest price — Three girls will grow up without parents

Summary

Nixon Pérez Paz and Glendy González de la Cruz were a young couple from Guatemala living in Overland, Missouri. They worked hard and had three daughters. In April 2024, ICE arrested and deported Nixon — using reasons that official records don’t back up. Glendy stayed, gave birth to their third child, and tried to keep her family together while fighting an asylum case. But the pressure — money problems, fear of ICE, raising three kids alone — became too much. She took her children to Guatemala to find Nixon. Weeks later, both parents were found bound and executed in a field. Their baby survived, lying next to her dead mother. Now three little girls have no parents. The community is mourning, and questions remain about whether this tragedy could have been prevented.

FAQ: Questions You Might Have

What is "self-deportation"?

Self-deportation is when someone chooses to leave the U.S. on their own instead of waiting to be forcibly removed by ICE. Glendy chose this because she was terrified of being arrested and separated from her children.

What is an asylum case?

Asylum is legal protection for people who fled their home country because of persecution or fear of persecution (due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group). Glendy had an active case — meaning she was legally asking the U.S. for safety.

Why did ICE say Nixon had DUIs if records don’t show it?

We don’t know for sure. The ICE spokesperson claimed two drunk driving convictions in Overland and a Florida charge. But:

• Missouri courts have no record of the DUIs
• The Florida charge was dropped by prosecutors
• This raises questions about the accuracy of ICE’s justification for his deportation.

Who is investigating the murders?

Guatemala’s National Civil Police and prosecutors are investigating. The article notes they found the bodies bound and shot. As of publication, no suspects have been named.

What happens to the three girls now?

Their uncle, Rolando Pérez Paz (Nixon’s brother, also deported to Guatemala), is caring for them. He says it’s very hard to explain what happened to the children.

Want to Help or Learn More?

• Attend the vigil: August 2, 6 p.m., Overland City Hall
• Support immigrant families: Look up Fuerza (St. Louis immigrant rights group mentioned in the article)
• Stay informed: Follow local journalism like St. Louis Public Radio (STLPR) for updates

This article was written in simple language to help everyone understand a complex and heartbreaking news story. All facts come from the original STLPR reporting by [reporter name if available].