Once again, security cameras were key to directing an investigation. The discovery of a woman’s body, which was wrapped in a blanket and had been thrown into the street in the Buenos Aires town of Villa Ballester, was the start of a criminal case that advanced quickly thanks to a video.
Antonella Striano, 26, had left her home to meet with her former boss over an apparent financial debt. The victim had worked at the kiosk of the accused, identified as Marcelo Fabián Álvarez.
It is still unclear what happened at that meeting, but what is certain is that hours later Antonella was found dead, with bruises on her face.
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Investigators were able to determine that her body was loaded into the trunk of the Mercedes-Benz of the main defendant, who also had the help of another employee who worked at the store.
According to the camera recordings, the body was discarded at the intersection of Colón and Artigas streets.
The autopsy revealed that the victim died of heart failure and had suffered head injuries, which could have been caused by a fall.
With the evidence gathered, the prosecution requested the arrest of the merchant and a woman who allegedly appeared with him in the videos.
According to sources in the case, Álvarez and his companion, identified as Soledad María Da Cunha, were transferred to the Functional Investigation Unit (UFI) No. 7 of San Martín, in charge of Diana Mayco, but both refused to testify. The man was charged with homicide aggravated by gender violence and the woman with homicide.
The victim’s family stated in the case that the young woman had told them that Álvarez owed her a debt and that last Wednesday, when she disappeared, they had agreed to meet.
There are not many details about the encounter. A version published by the newspaper La Nación indicates that the cause of death could be associated with long-term drug use.
2024-09-14 05:12:07