In December 1980, four American missionaries were the victims of a horrific crime in El Salvador as the civil war escalated. The missionaries, Jean Donovan, Dorothy Kazel, Ita Ford, and Maura Clarke, were known for their humanitarian work in the impoverished communities of El Salvador, focusing on providing support and aid amidst ongoing violence caused by a government crackdown on dissent. After having traveled to the countryside to visit a refugee camp, they were stopped, abducted, and subsequently raped and murdered by a Salvadoran death squad. Their bodies were found buried in a remote area, highlighting the brutal tactics used by the military and paramilitary groups during this tumultuous period.

The diplomats and citizens in the United States were horrified by the incident, which served as a stark illustration of the extreme dangers faced by those working on behalf of the marginalized in El Salvador. The crime was not only a profound loss for the victims' families but also galvanized human rights activists and religious groups, leading to increased scrutiny of U.S. foreign policy in Central America. In the years following their deaths, their story became emblematic of the atrocities committed during the civil war, leading to further demands for accountability from the Salvadoran government and greater awareness of human rights issues worldwide.