Maylin Lara Diaz and 14-year-old Melanie Mena, Yasel Mena Aguila, dies in fatal Lehigh Acres shooting
Fatal Lehigh Acres shooting death of Maylin Lara Diaz and 14-year-old Melanie Mena
The tragic sequence of events unfolded Monday evening at a residence located at 1340 E Calhoun St in Lehigh Acres. According to information provided by the family, Yasel Mena Aguila, the homeowner’s record indicated he was 38, took the life of his 35-year-old wife, Maylin Lara Diaz, and his 14-year-old daughter, Melanie Mena, before ending his own life with a firearm.
The incident began when law enforcement received reports about a shooting disturbance at this specific address. Upon their arrival, deputies discovered the fatal outcome within the household. The Lee County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the motive was linked to domestic issues, a conflict that tragically led to this devastating loss of life.
The property was reportedly rented to the family by the current owner starting in 2020. A neighbor, Linda Stearns, expressed shock and sorrow over the incident. She noted, “Yeah. They were young. Yeah. That’s sad, you know. All those lives are gone now,” adding a somber reflection on difficult times, “Things are getting rough. You know, times are rough for people. They can’t eat. They can’t pay their bills. It’s what happens. You know? So I don’t know.”
This heartbreaking tragedy has deeply affected the local community, particularly the educational institution nearby. On Tuesday, the principal of Lehigh Acres Middle School informed families about the passing of one of their students, Melanie Mena, who was an eighth-grader at the school. Gulf Coast News reports that parents granted permission for interviews with other students. These students conveyed that their classmates are feeling the impact of the loss, with one student, Gabriel Lucas, noting the appearance of “L-L-M” written on sticky notes near the school office, though he admitted confusion about the meaning behind the abbreviation.
For anyone experiencing emotional distress or knowing someone who does, resources such as the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be contacted via call or text to 988, or through an online chat option.
