tibicen

For anyone reading this who is not yet aware – the fact has as of this moment not been posted to the Carolingia list, even though I believe(?) it was posted to the EK FB group – the King of the East, Luis of Castille, mundanely Luis R. Rondon, has been arrested for the murder of a woman who was identified by someone in r/SCA [reddit] as Catalina Beatriz de las Torres, of An Dubhaigeainn and House Three Skulls. The news reports her (mundane) name was Deborah A. Waldinger, and she was 32.

He has abdicated the throne of the East. The BoD has expelled him from the Society.

The Queen, Margarita, remains on the throne of the East and intends to continue the reign.

The Kingdom's social media officer has posted this:

Good Evening to the People of the East,

It has been a Day. I hope that everyone knows the Leadership of this Kingdom hears you. We know you are confused, concerned, and perhaps even outraged. Your feelings are absolutely valid.

However, in light of an ongoing investigation, we have been asked by the Society to not speak publicly regarding the situation, make speculation, or drive the rumor mill.

What the East faces ahead will be difficult. There isnt a person in the Kingdom who thinks otherwise at this point, I believe. More information will be released as we are permitted to do so.

This situation is new, and we are walking in uncharted territory. I implore you to be kind to your neighbors, be kind to the leadership, and above all, be kind to yourselves.

Again, I want to state we are not to discuss this situation publicly due to the ongoing investigation.

If you would like to reach out to a member of the leadership team in private, please dont hesitate to do so. Also remember, they may not be able to share any more than has already been shared. But I assure you, they will listen to you.

As always, the East Kingdom is strong, and will overcome this. Just like it always does. Band together and support each other.

Each and everyone of you is a Tyger.

In service to the Kingdom of the East,

Baroness Audrye Beneyt

Kingdom Social Media Officer

Per the news, he was arrested in California, and awaits extradition to NY. I understand he was attending an SCA event there. The news says he was arrested in Taft, CA, which is where Caid's Great Western War is being held, and that he was arrested at 10pm on Friday (Oct 11). The gentles on Reddit have observed that GWW was not listed on the EK site as a Royal Progress event; Feste de Bois, in Montreal, was.

The news reports that the county Medical Examiner "determined that Waldinger died due to blunt force trauma to the head". The article report that the body of the victim was found "Wednesday [Oct 9] morning by a maintenance man who had gone to her apartment to do work".

Luis was crowned King of the East on October 5th.

The charge is second degree murder.

My fellow Scadians, please be reminded that while members of the media might want to speak to you, given a moment's thought, you might reasonably conclude that prudence suggests you do not want to speak to them, and you can refer them to the Kingdom Media Liaison, Mistress Aneleda Falconbridge. She can be reached at media @ eastkingdom.org.

Finally, from the Reddit commenter above:

I knew Debbie, was friends with her, but hadn’t seen her since Pennsic 3 years ago. Catalina Beatriz de las Torres (her Scadian name) started playing in my barony, the Barony of An Dubhaigeainn. She was seriously the sweetest person, always being someone to talk to or in my case, be by my side when my abusive ex showed up at an archery practice. Debbie loved animals and was a trained wildlife rehabilitator who would squeal over all animals. She was always water-bearing at Pennsic with her household, House Three Skulls.

On the personal side, writing this has made me remember a lot more memories of her and I’ve started crying. She was a wonderful woman and I’m going to miss her.

But Lancelot mused a little space
He said, "She has a lovely face;
God in his mercy lend her grace,
The Lady of Shalott."