One arrested after murders of Miss Honduras, sister

Honduran Security Minister Arturo Corrales said that authorities believe that Plutarco Antonio Ruiz, boyfriend of Sofia Trinidad, was the culprit and arrested him Wednesday along with Aris Maldonado.

Maria Jose and Sofia Trinidad, 19 and 22 years, respectively, disappeared Nov 13 from the western province of Santa Barbara and their remains were found buried in Cablotales village, said criminal investigation director Leandro Osorio.

Officials said the autopsies had been completed and the bodies would be delivered to the family for burial.

Maria Jose had travelled from Tegucigalpa to Santa Barbara to attend Ruiz's birthday party, according to the sisters' mother Teresa Muñoz.

Authorities detained Ruiz 28, and Maldonado, 24, along with a gun that was probably the murder weapon, and a vehicle that was used to transport the bodies for disposal, according to the police report.

Local press reports said that Ruiz murdered the sisters apparently in a fit of jealousy when Sofia Trinidad danced with another man at the party.

Ruiz and Sofia Trinidad reportedly argued, then he pulled out his gun and shot her. Beauty queen Maria Jose was shot as she tried to flee.

The crime has shocked Honduras, with citizens demanding an end to the endemic violence that takes an average of 14 lives a day, mainly by gangs linked to drug trafficking and organised crime.

The organisers of the Miss World pageant also expressed their grief over the murders of the two young women.

In a statement from London, the organisation's president, Julia Morley, said that she stood in solidarity with the family and friends of the two women and announced that a special service Sunday would be held with all the participants to honour the Honduran sisters.