The world of social media can be a glamorous one, but for one Miami influencer, the reality behind the screen took a terrifying turn. This is the story of Iselle, her stepfather Louise Damas, and the night her life almost ended.
A Family Torn Apart
Iselle, a rising social media star known online as Eelle, had always considered her family life to be relatively normal. Her mother had been married to Louise Damas for 13 years, and while Damas had appeared in some of Eelle’s earlier videos, the couple had separated several months prior to the incident. Little did they know, this separation would be the catalyst for a shocking act of violence.
A Night of Terror
On August 21st, Damas arrived at the Miami apartment Iselle shared with her mother. An argument erupted between the estranged couple, fueled by Damas’ delusion that Iselle was the reason for their separation. As tensions escalated, Damas forced his way into the apartment, shouting threats and demanding to know Iselle’s whereabouts.
Fearing for her safety, Iselle hid under her bed. “I decided to crawl toward him screaming for him to stop,” she later recounted in a harrowing Instagram post, “and at that moment I heard the shot that left me stunned.” Damas had fired his gun, narrowly missing Iselle thanks to her mother’s heroic intervention.
Eelle hand injury
A Mother’s Courage
Iselle’s mother, in an act of extraordinary bravery, wrestled Damas, preventing him from firing another shot. The struggle continued, with Damas biting his ex-wife and even grabbing Iselle by the hair in a desperate attempt to maintain control. Eventually, Damas calmed down enough to sit on the couch, demanding the two women clean up the chaotic scene.
The Aftermath and Arrest
The following day, Iselle and her mother sought medical attention for their injuries. Initially hesitant to contact the police due to Damas’ chilling threats of hiring hitmen, they eventually reported the incident on August 23rd. Acting swiftly, Miami’s domestic violence apprehension team arrested Damas, who is now facing a slew of charges, including attempted felony murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, burglary with assault, tampering with evidence, false imprisonment with a weapon, and felony battery.
Seeking Justice and Raising Awareness
This horrifying ordeal sheds light on the terrifying reality of domestic violence. Iselle’s decision to share her story, including graphic photos of her injuries, has sparked conversations about the prevalence of domestic abuse and the importance of speaking out.
While Iselle and her mother are on the long road to recovery, their story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of recognizing red flags and seeking help when faced with domestic violence.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please reach out for help. The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached at 800-799-7233.