If it happened in another city, the tragic death of Margarita Guardado would surely be a cause for concern. In Hailey's peaceful, tight-knit community, however, the impact has been especially strong.
From the Woodside neighborhood to City Hall, where the victim's mother, Maria Mares, has worked for more than a decade, the reaction is one of sadness, shock and worry.
"This touches really close to home," said Lt. Jeff Gunter, Hailey's interim police chief. "Maria is a very sweet lady, and it's been difficult for all of my officers and myself. We can't explain what happened, and that makes it very tough to deal with."
Gunter has tried to do so by stopping by Mares' home on a daily basis to speak with her and see how she's doing, and many others at City Hall are rallying behind the family as well.
"Maria works so hard to bring the best of life to her children," said Hailey City Clerk Heather Dawson, who's worked with Maria for the past 12 years. "The efforts made by city employees toward the family are generous, abundant and sincere. Many are deeply personal."
Without a doubt, the brutality of the murder last week has shocked a city—and surrounding communities—where petty theft is usually the most serious crime. For some it serves as a realization that an expanding population is bringing with it the same negative aspects of larger cities.
"The positives still outweigh the negatives," said Hailey resident Sarah Benson, of the choice to live in the Wood River Valley. "But it would be naïve to think that just because we live in this area this couldn't happen."
For Benson, this realistic attitude brings with it the responsibility to remind her young children to take extra care when in public.
"Although this appears to be a case where the individuals knew each other, you still have to be careful," Benson said, adding that she has taken to locking the doors of her house as of late.
Cathy Nikolaisons, who lives a few short blocks from where Guardado's body was found in Woodside, agreed that although the overall safety of the area is one of its major attractions, especially for families, it's not immune to problems faced elsewhere in the nation.
"It's scary and way too close," said Nikolaisons, whose oldest child, Jake, will start pre-school next week. "And it's overwhelming because everything that happens here affects everyone else."
While Hailey continues to struggle in the wake of such a violent crime, Gunter said he doesn't think it will alter the overall bucolic atmosphere pervasive throughout the valley.
"I'm hoping it doesn't change the lifestyle," Gunter said. "We're not immune to crime here, but I think this is an isolated event. It's still a safe environment."
