Family of wife murdered by husband on cruise ship release photo and statement

Kenneth Manzanares (right) beat his wife Kristy (left) to death on a cruise ship because she would not stop laughing at him. [Courtesy of Kristy Manzanares / Facebook]

Kristy Manzanares, a 39-year-old woman from Santa Clara, Utah, was found dead in the Emerald Princess cruise ship on July 25, Tuesday. She was murdered by none other than her husband, Kenneth Manzanares.

Kenneth Manzanares told a witness that he beat her to death because “she would not stop laughing at me.”, according to the court documents. The witness found Kristy’s body on the floor in the couple’s blood splattered room and Manzanares with bloody hands. The husband tried to dump his wife’s body over the balcony, but the witness alerted a cruise ship security who restrained him.

The murder happened in the U.S. waters off Alaska. Manzanares is held in Juneau, Alaska.

In the photo released by the family of Kristy Manzanares, Kristy is seen smiling with her suitcase before the cruise trip.

After this horrendous news made headlines all over the major news channels, the family of Kristy Manzanares released a photo of the slain wife and statement. The photo was taken right before the cruise ship departure. In the photo, smiling Kristy is seen with her suitcase for the cruise trip.

The statement released by the Salt Lake Tribune reads: “Wearedevastatedover the loss of Kristy. She is the light of our lives – a devoted mother, daughter, sister and friend. Kristy led by example with her giving heart and we are inspired by the legacy of kindness and optimism she has instilled in her children.”

According to the family spokesperson, Miranda Barnard, Kristy was “on the cruise as part of a family vacation trip with other extended family members” including the couple’s daughters. The daughters are back in Utah with relatives.

Kristy and Kenneth Manzanares got married in 1999. There was no indication of violence or marriage trouble.

Kristy's relative who wanted to remain anonymous said, “I’ve never seen Kenny like an angry person ever.” The relative said of Kristy, “She was the kindest sweetest person. There’s not anybody who knew her that didn’t love her… that’s why it’s so hard to believe.”

An account was set up at Zions Bank in Kristy Hunt Manzanares’ name to support her daughters and cover her funeral service.

Kwak, Min Jung = abiel@ajunews.com

KwakMin-jung abiel@ajunews.com

Family of wife murdered by husband on cruise ship release photo and statement

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