Authorities in Peru have apprehended a man suspected of orchestrating the horrific killings of two 20-year-old women and a 15-year-old girl in Argentina. The victims were tragically lured to a residence near Buenos Aires on September 19th, only to be discovered days later with their bodies mutilated and buried in the garden. Investigations revealed a chilling detail: their torture and murder were livestreamed on Instagram to a private group.
The sheer brutality of the crime has ignited widespread outrage and grief, prompting thousands to participate in anti-femicide demonstrations in Buenos Aires. Javier Alonso, the security minister for Buenos Aires province, stated that the victims – cousins Morena Verdi and Brenda del Castillo, both 20, and 15-year-old Lara Morena Gutiérrez – were deceived by an international drug syndicate with promises of payment for attending a party.
CCTV footage of the women entering a van with false license plates was crucial in tracking them to the location of their murders. During the livestream, a voice was overheard stating, “This is what happens to those who steal drugs from me.” In the days following the discovery, Argentine police made several arrests, including individuals suspected of facilitating the burial and transportation of the victims.
However, the prime suspect, identified as 20-year-old Tony Janzen Valverde Victoriano, also known as “Little J,” managed to evade capture until his arrest on a motorway south of Lima, Peru, where he was found concealed within a fish transport van. In a parallel operation, Peruvian police also detained Matías Ozorio, a 28-year-old Argentine national, believed to be Mr. Valverde’s close associate. Mr. Ozorio is expected to be extradited to Argentina soon, while Mr. Valverde, a Peruvian citizen, remains in custody in Peru pending Argentina’s extradition request. Peruvian police indicated that intercepted communications between the two suspects were key in locating them.
Mr. Ozorio reportedly told police he was tricked into entering Peru by a drug gang to whom he owed money. Argentina’s security minister has commended the Peruvian police for their successful efforts in apprehending both individuals.