Venezuelan ex-beauty queen murdered

Ms Spear was crowned Miss Venezuela in 2004, and also ran for Miss Universe

Former Venezuelan beauty queen Monica Spear, 29, and her Irish husband Thomas Berry have been shot dead in their car in Venezuela.

Their five-year-old daughter, who was injured in the incident, is said to be in a stable condition in hospital.

Police have launched a investigation into the killing, which happened on the highway leading from Valencia to Puerto Cabello.

Ms Spear became Miss Venezuela in 2004, and also acted in soap operas.

Local media reported that Ms Spear and her husband had stopped by the roadside because their car had broken down.

The gunmen opened fire in what police said might have been a robbery gone wrong.

Venezuela has one of the highest murder rates in the world, and armed robberies and kidnappings are not unusual.

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