Former Miss Venezuela, ex-husband killed in robbery

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Armed robbers have shot dead a former Miss Venezuela and her British ex-husband in front of their five-year-old daughter.

Monica Spear, 29, and Thomas Henry Berry, 39, were on holiday in Venezuela when the attack happened between Puerto Cabello and Valencia.

Their daughter Maya was shot in the leg during the attempted robbery. She survived and is recovering in hospital.

Authorities said police had arrested five suspects, some under the age of 18.

Monica Spear was crowned Miss Venezuela in Caracas in 2004.

President Nicolas Maduro said the victims’ car burst a tyre after running over something on the road, apparently placed by robbers to stop traffic.

He said a recovery truck arrived to help the family but its crew was chased away after they were ambushed by armed robbers.

“They were inside the car and were riddled (with bullets),” the president said on state TV.

“I ask those who assassinated this young person: what explanation do you have?”

It is understood the couple separated last year.

The 2004 Miss Venezuela winner lived in the US but was on holiday at the time of the shooting.