Chronicle of a Death Foretold Characters

Cristo Bedoya, a medical student, is Santiago Nasar’s best friend. He is with him on the morning of the murder, but doesn’t learn of Pedro and Pablo Vicario’s plan until he and Santiago have parted ways.

Santiago Nasar’s mother and Ibrahim Nasar’s widow. She claims to have the gift of foresight, and is a skilled interpreter of dreams. However, she fails to foresee her son’s murder. She is left completely bereft after his death.

Santiago Nasar’s late father. He was an Arab immigrant who became a fairly successful rancher—he was responsible for teaching Santiago how to raise livestock, use firearms, and train falcons. He died suddenly when Santiago was younger.

The cook for the Nasar household, originally hired by Ibrahim Nasar. Ibrahim seduced her when she was young, and now she is determined to keep her daughter, Divina Flor, from being seduced by Santiago Nasar. She knows about Pablo and Pedro’s intentions but declines to warn Santiago.

Victoria Gúzman’s daughter, she works with her mother in the Nasar household. At the time of the murder she is just an adolescent, and terrified of Santiago Nasar.

Angela Vicario’s mother. She is extremely conservative and rigorous in her parenting, especially when it comes to her daughters.

Angela Vicario’s father. He is a retired goldsmith and, by the time of the events described in the novel, he has gone almost completely blind. Accordingly he wields very little influence with his family, and indeed has little idea what is going on most of the time.

A local woman who owns a brothel. The Narrator claims that she singlehandedly “did away with [his] generation’s virginity.” She is both the Narrator’s and Santiago Nasar’s first love. The Narrator is sleeping in her bed when Santiago is murdered.

Bayardo San Román’s father. He is a famous war hero—a veteran of the civil wars—and an important member of the ruling Conservative regime. He is extraordinarily wealthy.

Bayardo San Román’s mother and General Petronio San Román’s wife. She is from Curaçao, and was once known as the most beautiful woman in the Antilles.

The proprietor of a milk shop on the main square of the town. It is in this shop that Pablo and Pedro Vicario wait for Santiago Nasar to appear from his house across the square.

The Narrator’s sister. She has something of a crush on Santiago Nasar, and invites him over for breakfast on the morning of the murder, not yet knowing that he will soon be killed.

The Narrator’s other sister, a nun.

Santiago Nasar’s fiancée. She is the daughter of Nahir Miguel, the wise man in the local Arab community. She is the one to finally warn Santiago that Pablo and Pedro Vicario are out to kill him.

The mayor of the town. He tries to stop Pedro and Pablo Vicario by confiscating their knives, but the twins simply return home to get new ones.

The local priest. He is the first person to whom Pedro and Pablo Vicario confess. He also performs Santiago Nasar’s autopsy.

She is both Santiago Nasar’s godmother and a relative of Angela Vicario. She attempts to warn Santiago’s mother, Plácida Linero, about the impending murder, but fails to reach her in time.

An old friend of Ibrahim Nasar and a counselor to the Nasar family. He tries to protect Santiago Nasar but fails. After the murder, he chases after Pedro and Pablo Vicario, leading a group of Arabs.

Flora Miguel’s father and the wise man of the local Arab community.

An old man who lives in the most beautiful house in town, which he reluctantly sells to Bayardo San Román.

The Narrator’s wife. She is just a young girl at the time of the murder.

Clotilde Amante’s husband.

The local doctor, he is meant to perform the autopsy of Santiago Nasar, but is away on vacation.

The police officer who first informs Colonel Lázaro Aponte that Pablo and Pedro Vicario are planning to kill Santiago Nasar.

A local butcher, and a friend of Pedro and Pablo Vicario.

A local woman.

The Narrator’s brother.

The Narrator’s younger brother.

Pablo Vicario’s fiancée.

A local midwife.

A local woman.

Owner of the local electric plant.

Polo Carrillo’s wife.

One of Santiago Nasar’s good friends. He has a chance to warn Santiago on the morning of the murder, but loses his nerve and says nothing.

A local woman.

The owner of a shoe store in the town.

A friend of Santiago Nasar.

A local woman.

Santiago Nasar’s neighbor.

Poncho Lanao’s eldest daughter.

The Narrator’s aunt.