Body Found Hidden in Córdoba Apartment, Ex-Police Officer Under Investigation
A disturbing discovery in Córdoba, Argentina, has launched a complex investigation into the identity of a body found concealed within a sealed closet, and the potential involvement of the apartment’s tenant – a former police officer with a history of homicide. The case unfolded on Saturday, after construction workers detected a strong odor emanating from a sealed room in a building located on Buenos Aires Street at 300.
The unsettling find has prompted authorities to focus on three key questions: establishing the victim’s identity, determining the time of death, and assessing whether the tenant, Horacio Antonio Grasso, bears direct responsibility for the concealment, or the act itself.
Discovery and Initial Findings
According to reports, two masons undertaking renovation work in the building noticed a powerful smell originating from a sealed door. Upon removing the wooden paneling, they discovered a closet secured with cement. Inside, they found a body wrapped in blankets, bound with cables, and positioned in a seated posture.
Initial forensic examination revealed the body was in an advanced state of decomposition, hindering immediate identification of the sex or approximate age. However, investigators believe the remains may belong to a woman, based on the body’s size, though this remains unconfirmed.
A History of Violence: The Tenant’s Background
The apartment was rented by Horacio Antonio Grasso, a former Córdoba Police officer previously convicted in connection with the 2007 murder of Facundo Novillo Cancos (6) in Salta. Grasso had been serving house arrest with electronic monitoring, but was returned to Bouwer prison days prior to the discovery after allegedly violating the terms of his release.
The individual overseeing the renovation work informed police that he was hired by Javier Grasso, the ex-officer’s brother, to perform the repairs. This connection has further intensified scrutiny of the Grasso family’s potential involvement.
Timeline and Missing Persons Investigations
Forensic experts estimate the body had been hidden for at least two years. A precise timeline is crucial, and ongoing analysis of the remains is expected to refine this estimate. This information will be cross-referenced with reports of missing persons filed in Córdoba and neighboring provinces, in an effort to identify the victim.
The Investigation’s Focus
While Grasso was incarcerated at the time the body was discovered, authorities are investigating whether he had prior knowledge of its presence within the apartment, or if he played a role – directly or indirectly – in concealing the remains.
The closet itself was located in a closed-off room, with the door concealed behind wooden slats, suggesting a deliberate attempt to hide its contents.
As of now, Grasso has not been formally charged in connection with this new investigation. The case is being processed by the District Instruction Prosecutor’s Office No. 1, under the direction of María Celeste Blasco, with Florencia Espósito serving as substitute during the current judicial recess.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, as authorities work to unravel the circumstances surrounding this grim discovery and bring those responsible to justice.
