Venezuala weeps for murdered star

Bullet holes riddle the car in which Venezuelan soap star Monica Spear and her ex-husband Henry Berry were killed.

Their five-year-old daughter survived the robbery but suffered a gunshot wound.

The killings of the one-time beauty queen turned actress and her former husband have shocked the nation where violent crime is at epidemic proportions.

The star's father Rafael Spear urged an end to the bloodshed.

(SOUNDBITE)(Spanish) RAFAEL SPEAR, FATHER OF MONICA SPEAR, SAYING:

"We have to end violence in Venezuela. We are a beautiful country, too beautiful for acts like these to keep happening."

Thousands turned out to mourn ahead of the star's funeral on Friday.

(SOUNDBITE)(Spanish) ROLANDO SALAZAR, VENEZUELAN COMEDIAN, SAYING:

"I'm very sorry that she gives a face to the thousands who are assassinated, which is happening right now up and down the country."

Venezuela's official murder rate last year was 39 per 100, 000 inhabitants.