BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA – In a chilling case that has sparked outrage across Argentina, three young women were brutally murdered after being lured by a drug trafficking gang. The victims, 20-year-old Brenda Del Castillo, 21-year-old Morena Verie, and 15-year-old Lara Gutierrez, were last seen on September 19.
Surveillance footage revealed the trio entering a white vehicle at a local intersection. Authorities traced their mobile phones to a residence in Florencio Varela, where their bodies were later discovered buried in the backyard. The car from the surveillance video was found torched nearby.
The investigation suggests that the women were accused of stealing cocaine from a local gang. They were deceived into entering the vehicle under the pretense of attending a party, only to meet a tragic fate.
Disturbingly, the torture and murder were broadcast live to a private group on Instagram, with about 45 viewers watching. The gang leader reportedly used this platform to issue a dire warning to others who might cross him.
The victims suffered horrific injuries. Gutierrez’s left hand was mutilated, Del Castillo endured severe abdominal and cranial injuries, and Verie was suffocated with a plastic bag.
Police have apprehended 12 suspects and are actively seeking the gang’s leader, a 23-year-old Peruvian known as Julito or Little J. The case has ignited protests, with thousands demanding justice for the victims.
Del Castillo’s mother has spoken out, expressing her anguish and calling for accountability. “They took my daughter away from me, and I want them to pay,” she stated.
The incident has intensified the spotlight on femicide and drug violence in Argentina, prompting calls for systemic change and greater protection for women.