Inside the murder of American woman that shattered family's idyllic ... trends now
Francesca and Michael Williams spent nearly a decade building a new life in the Ecuadorian countryside - living off the land at their 'humble Shangri-La' farm with their three teenage daughters.
But their dream life was shattered one Saturday evening, when a gang of men approached their secluded home and murdered Francesca as she hung out laundry.
California-born mother-of-three Francesca, 44, was shot in the back as the assailants tied down and beat up her husband, stabbed her father, and terrorized her three young daughters before rummaging through their home.
Their humble home - where the Williams family raised chickens, goats, pigs and horses after moving from the States in 2014 - was turned into a bloodbath during the fatal, violent raid on May 20.
Francesca and Michael practiced sustainable farming, and often posted images online of their doting animals, sweeping landscape views, and happy rural life.
The five surviving family members are now moving back to Colorado in the aftermath of the invasion at their idyllic, rural farm in Vilcabamba, Ecuador.
California-born mother-of-three Francesca, 44, was shot in the back as the assailants tied down and beat up her husband, stabbed her father, and terrorized her three young daughters before rummaging through their home
Francesca's three daughters Rebekah, 19, Rachel, 17, Renee, 14, were all at the property when the ambush started and witnessed the attack on their grandfather, mother, and father
A picture of Francesca Williams from 2016 tending to her many animals at her idyllic home she built in Ecuador with her husband
The UC San Diego graduate was hanging laundry outside her tranquil farm home in the South American countryside when the gang started to approach their property.
Francesca saw that her disabled father John, 65, whom she cared for, was being attacked by the men - so she rushed down to save him.
The men stabbed John multiple times and then turned their attention to his daughter Francesca, gunning her down.
Her three daughters Rebekah, 19, Rachel, 17, Renee, 14, were all at home when the ambush started and witnessed the attack on their grandfather, mother, and father.
Rachel heard gunshots and immediately shut their front door, but the men made their way inside and forced her and Renee to direct them during the pillage.
Rebekah was in her yurt, an outdoor-living tent, when the commotion kicked off - and rushed into the jungle before running to nearby neighbors to seek help.
Their father Michael, meanwhile, was bound and beaten unconscious by the men.
It was only after they fled with the family's possessions and belongings - including iPads, money, and computers - that he escaped and went searching for his wife, Francesca, and his eldest daughter Rebekah.
The mom-of-three was found on the land, bleeding out from her bullet wound, which hit near her heart. They scrambled to carry her body to their car and drove to get medical attention, but it was too late.
Francesca, a multi-lingual published author and illustrator, was also a career for her disabled parents. Tributes have flooded in for the beloved mother.
No one is in custody but an investigation is ongoing.
The U.S. State Department said in a statement: 'We offer our sincerest condolences to the family on their loss. We are in contact with the family and are providing all appropriate consular assistance.
'We refer you to the government of Ecuador for information regarding any local investigation. Out of respect to the family during this difficult time, we have no further comment.'
