Mugshot of Tizoni A. Mahoney. Photo Credit: THE VIRGIN ISLANDS POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ST. THOMAS — Police have arrested 54-year-old Tizoni A. Mahoney, charging him with first-degree murder in connection with the killing of his estranged wife, 42-year-old Maireni Heredia Tiburcio, whose body was discovered Friday, August 29, at the Galleon House on St. Thomas.
According to the V.I. Police Department, officers were called to the guesthouse around 11:48 a.m. after 911 received a report of an unresponsive female. Responding officers found Tiburcio with at least one gunshot wound to the upper body. Emergency Medical Technicians later confirmed she had no vital signs, and she was officially pronounced dead at 12:26 p.m.
An investigation by the VIPD’s Criminal Investigation Bureau concluded that Tiburcio was shot and killed by Mahoney. He was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder. Mahoney is awaiting his advice of rights hearing.
This latest arrest follows earlier incidents of reported abuse. On July 3, Tiburcio sought help from Port Authority police at Cyril E. King Airport, telling them she had been assaulted by Mahoney after what investigators later described as “a week of torment.” According to police records at the time, she detailed being dragged from the shower, slapped, kicked, and choked to the point of unconsciousness.
Court documents also described a separate instance where Mahoney allegedly held her at gunpoint in a parked car, demanding she confess to infidelity. Tiburcio told investigators she feared for her life and ultimately jumped from his vehicle outside the airport to escape.
Following that incident, Mahoney was arrested and charged with multiple counts of assault, domestic violence, possessing a firearm during a crime of violence, and disturbance of the peace. He was remanded pending an initial court appearance.
Despite those charges, the marriage — which began only in June — ended in tragedy less than two months later with Tiburcio’s death.
Police are urging anyone with information about the homicide to contact VIPD at (340) 774-2211, the Major Crimes Division at (340) 714-9823, (340) 714-9828, or (340) 714-9829, or via WhatsApp at (340) 642-8449. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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