Merritt Island’s Sondra Elizondo Stabbed, Found Dead In Costa Rican Hotel

By  //  December 12, 2015

coordinated volunteer medical missions

Merritt Island resident Sondra Lynn Elizondo, 45, was found dead at a Costa Rica hotel on Wednesday afternoon according to TicoTimes.net. (Image for Space Coast Daily)
Merritt Island resident Sondra Lynn Elizondo, 45, was found dead at a Costa Rica hotel on Wednesday afternoon according to TicoTimes.net. (Image for Space Coast Daily)

Merritt Island resident Sondra Lynn Elizondo, 45, was found dead at a Costa Rica hotel on Wednesday afternoon according to TicoTimes.net.

Elizondo’s body was discovered by a hotel worker, and investigators from the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) said the victim had been stabbed several times.

Elizondo coordinated volunteer medical missions in Central America, and was the co-founder of Vida Volunteer, a Merritt Island-based organization that sets up mobile medical, dental and veterinary clinics in needy communities in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Guatemala.

A resident of Merritt Island for the past three years, she had two teenaged children.

ABOVE VIDEO: Sondra Elizondo was the co-founder of VIDA Volunteers and recently honored as a Doctors’ Goodwill Foundation Ambassador for her work on behalf of the underserved.

Elizondo arrived in Costa Rica on Saturday to attend meetings and was then planning to travel to Nicaragua, according to Ana Salas, communications manager for Vida Volunteer.

She said the organization had few details about Elizondo’s death and had been instructed by OIJ not to share them while the investigation is ongoing.

Salas described Elizondo as incredible, happy, very committed to helping others and the organization was devastated by the news of her death.

Sondra Elizondo: Making a Positive Impact On the Quality of Life For UnderservedRelated Story:
Sondra Elizondo: Making a Positive Impact On the Quality of Life For Underserved

The VIDA Volunteer Facebook page said, “Sondra was a devoted mother, loyal friend and caring daughter. She was a great inspiration and always passionate about helping others and making a positive difference. Vida Volunteer is the legacy Sondra leaves behind and we are more committed than ever to keeping her dream alive. Sondra is survived by her two children, her parents and a brother. She will be deeply missed.

Please send your condolences to rememberingsondra@vidavolunteer.org. All messages will be forwarded to her family and loved ones.

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