Matías Jurado reportedly lured his victims with promises of work before brutally murdering them
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The Jujuy Justice Department has charged Matías Jurado, 37 years old, with the crime of aggravated homicide due to cruelty, as part of an investigation into the disappearance of five people in vulnerable situations. The case has caused national shock due to its violence and cruelty.
On Monday, the team of prosecutors led by Guillermo Bellerformalized the accusation before Judge of Control Gastón Mercau, who ordered pretrial detention for 120 days. The measure seeks to ensure the progress of the investigation and prevent flight risks or obstruction of the process.
At the defendant's residence, located in the Alto Comedero neighborhood, authorities found bone remains, human skin, and clothing. Forensic examinations will be key to determining whether they belong to the reported victims.
La imagen del cuarto donde se encontraron prendas y restos de piel humana (Foto: Infobae)
A key testimony and the suspicion of more crimes
One of the most shocking elements of the case file was the testimony of Jurado's nephew, a 16-year-old teenager. In a Gesell Chamber, he stated that his uncle used to "dismember people he brought to his house" and that he later threw the remains in open fields or buried them.
The young man stated that every Friday people gathered at the house, drank alcohol, and then Jurado asked him to leave because "bad things were going to happen." That account raised alarms for the prosecution, which doesn't rule out the existence of more victims.
Neighbors in the area also indicated that Jurado was a violent and problematic person. He had already served a sentence for armed robbery, and his record has caused concern in the community. Currently, he remains held at the Gorriti prison in San Salvador de Jujuy.
El frente de la vivienda en el barrio Alto Comedero, en la capital de Jujuy.
The victims, the deception, and the modus operandi
Jorge Omar Anachuri, 68 years old, was the first victim for whom Jurado was formally charged, although his body has not yet been found. He disappeared on July 25. Along with him, Juan Carlos González (60), Juan José Ponce (51), Miguel Ángel Quispe (60), and Sergio Alejandro Sosa (25) are also being sought.
Una de las víctimas de Matías Jurado era intensamente buscado.
All the victims were homeless and struggling with addiction problems. According to the prosecution's hypothesis, Jurado lured them with promises of work as porters at the bus terminal. He then invited them to his house, where he killed them.
A security camera recorded two of them voluntarily getting into a taxi with the defendant. In addition, a cell phone belonging to another victim was geolocated at the accused's residence.
The prosecution ordered the property to be excavated and DNA tests to be conducted to identify the remains found. The coming weeks will be key to confirming the magnitude of the case, which is already considered one of the most chilling in recent years in the province.
