(Laura Cerna in family photograph)

U.S. Senator Charles Schumer has written a letter to the American Ambassador to Spain, Alan D. Solomont, calling on him to instruct the American Embassy in Spain to provide all necessary assistance to the family of Laura Cerna as they seek justice in her death. The 49 year old Cerna, a United States citizen from Larchmont, was brutally murdered in Spain August 30.

The family is seeking justice in a Spanish court, but has expressed frustration to Schumer that the American Embassy in Spain has not provided the necessary assistance.

Laura Cerna was last seen alive the evening of August 29, having dinner with her son and his girlfriend. Officials estimate that between 1:30 and 4 a.m. on August 30, the murderer locked Laura in an apartment, sexually assaulted her, stabbed her repeatedly and then mutilated and dismembered the body.

The alleged murderer, Antonio Gordillo has been charged with "basic homicide," which carries a prison sentence of 10-15 years. The family believes the charges are too lenient and want them upgraded in light of the dismemberment and alleged rape.

In his letter to Ambassador Solomont Schumer said, "It is my sincere hope that you will personally examine this matter and find it within the parameters of the embassy to direct any resources available that can be used to assist the victim's family as they seek full justice for a crime that has left them shattered."

Westchester Congresswoman Nita Lowey has also intervened on behalf of the family. She has written letters to Solomont as well as Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder calling on them to pursue the maximum punishment possible against Cerna's killer.