The body of Gladys Tordil, who was allegedly shot at the hands of her estranged husband at a Prince George’s County school last week, remains at a Maryland morgue because there is no one in the country to claim her body, according to an attorney raising money for her burial.
It could be weeks before Gladys Tordil is put to rest, said attorney Arnedo Valera, who is the executive director of the Migrant Heritage Commission.
Police say she was fatally shot Thursday by Eulalio Tordil, who faces a first-degree murder charge for her death and is accused of shooting other people at a mall and shopping center the following day.
Gladys Tordil, whose death rocked Prince George’s County, wanted to be buried in the Philippines, where her family still lives. Aside from her daughters, who are minors and now in foster care, there is no one to claim her body from the morgue, according to Valera. If enough money can be raised, the body can be flown to the Philippines for a funeral, but it could take weeks and approximately $8,000 to $10,000.
Gladys Tordil's family in the Philippines wants her daughters to leave the U.S. and accompany their mother's body home. Migrant Heritage Commission, a D.C.-based nonprofit, is trying to arrange to bring one of Gladys Tordil's sisters from the Philippines to claim her body and take it back.
“Our call is for the community to help give a decent burial for Gladys and for her return to the Philippines immediately,” Valera said. “We told them we'd be raising funds and mobilize the community. And there are quite a number of individuals and organizations pledging or have sent their donations.”
Gladys Tordil was a beauty pageant winner in the Philippines and valedictorian of her high school class.
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But things had soured after they arrived. Gladys Tordil got an order of protections, alleging Eulalio Tordil abused her and his step daughters.
Last Thursday, her estranged husband allegedly came to High Point High School in Prince George’s County and shot her as she waited to pick up her two daughters. On Friday, he was arrested after allegedly shooting and killing two more people in Montgomery County and wounding two others.
Valera said he believes Gladys Tordil's daughters may want to follow in her footsteps.
“My understanding is they intend to study at University of Maryland and take computer science and possibly become teachers,” Valera said.
Eulalio Tordil is charged with three murders and three assaults from the shooting spree last Thursday and Friday in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.
